Editor’s note: This story was updated Aug. 24 with a statement from former Raiders controller Araxie Grant.
Significant financial irregularities that allegedly stretched back more than a decade played a role in the mysterious departures of three Las Vegas Raiders executives, sources with knowledge of the issue told Front Office Sports.
The discovery of the accounting issues in recent months coincided with president Marc Badain, CFO Ed Villanueva, and Controller Araxie Grant exiting their respective roles with the team. FOS reported last week that the team had launched an internal investigation, an inquiry that remains ongoing.
The Raiders have yet to publicly disclose why four team executives moved on this summer, including Brandon Doll. Doll, the club’s former vice president of strategy and business development, left the Raiders for reasons outside of the accounting issues, a source told FOS.
The specifics of what type of abnormalities uncovered so far — including whether there could be tax implications — were not immediately known.
Grant said in an email to Front Office Sports that she resigned on July 19 and is “currently exploring new career opportunities.”
“As a CPA I have a duty to maintain confidentiality and, for this reason, I am not able to disclose details or answer questions regarding my resignation from the Raiders,” Grant wrote. “I can say that I have never been involved in any financial impropriety or wrongdoing before or during my 20-month tenure with the Raiders. I am someone who lives by high standards of ethics and integrity. As a CPA, I have never, and would never, participate in unethical accounting practices, or compromise my professional responsibilities in any way.”
Messages over the last two weeks left for Badain, Villanueva, and Doll by FOS were not returned.
According to a source, the internal investigation is being assisted by Arnold & Porter, the team’s longtime outside legal team. A spokesperson for the law firm declined comment.
Badain served as team president for more than six years and had been employed with the team since 1991. Villanueva was with the Raiders nearly 19 years, the last six as CFO. Grant had been the team’s controller for about a year and a half.
Dan Ventrelle was tapped as interim president after Badain’s resignation.
The turnover in the Raiders’ front office since June sparked massive speculation by those within the NFL as the team embarks on its first season in front of fans at Allegiant Stadium. The team moved from Oakland after the 2019 season.
“The successful construction and operation of Allegiant Stadium has been unequivocally the most challenging part of my 30 years with the organization,” Badain said in a statement to ESPN in July. “Seeing it through to the end has been rewarding beyond measure. Together the Raiders and Las Vegas accomplished what seemed impossible. Now that the project is complete it is time for me to focus on my family and look ahead to new pursuits.”
