• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Law

Washington AG to File Lawsuit Against Commanders, Dan Snyder, NFL

  • D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine announced Thursday that his office would file a consumer protection lawsuit.
  • Focus is on Snyder’s alleged involvement in the toxic workplace and attempts to cover it up.
A.J. Perez

WASHINGTON — District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine filed a consumer protection lawsuit against the Washington Commanders, owner Dan Snyder, the NFL, and Commissioner Roger Goodell. 

Racine said at a news conference Thursday that the lawsuit focuses on Snyder’s alleged involvement in the Commanders’ toxic workplace and attempts by the Commanders, Snyder, and the NFL to cover it up — all of which harmed residents of D.C.

“The evidence shows Mr. Snyder was not only aware of the toxic culture within his organization. He encouraged it and he participated in it,” Racine said. “Mr. Snyder exerted a high level of personal control over everything the Commanders did, and his misconduct gave others permission to treat women in the same demeaning manner.”

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Superior Court for the District of Columbia, seeks unspecified civil penalties and monetary damages. Racine referenced a similar consumer protection lawsuit that was recently settled for $10 million.

DOJ Investigating Commanders Over Alleged Financial Wrongdoing

The DOJ has spent months investigating the team over alleged financial improprieties.
November 2, 2022

The Commanders are headquartered in Virginia and play home games in Maryland. The D.C. AG is using D.C. consumer protection laws that apply to those doing business with residents, along with the links to the city — including “Washington” in the team name — to establish jurisdiction.

The complaint comes a week after Snyder announced he was exploring options that include selling the franchise. Racine said that Snyder would be held to account even if does sell the team, and the lawsuit will also continue after AG-elect Brian Schwalb takes over in January.

“Over two years ago, Dan and Tanya Snyder acknowledged that an unacceptable workplace culture had existed within their organization for several years and they have apologized many times for allowing that to happen,” outside Commanders attorneys John Brownlee and Stuart Nash said in a statement. “We agree with AG Racine on one thing: the public needs to know the truth. Although the lawsuit repeats a lot of innuendo, half-truths and lies, we welcome this opportunity to defend the organization — for the first time — in a court of law and to establish, once and for all, what is fact and what is fiction.”

The NFL had knowledge of the investigation and had provided more than a million pages of documents.

“The independent investigation into workplace misconduct at the Washington Commanders was thoroughly and comprehensively conducted by Beth Wilkinson and her law firm,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said in a statement to FOS. “Following the completion of the investigation, the NFL made public a summary of Ms. Wilkinson’s findings and imposed a record-setting fine against the club and its ownership. 

“We reject the legally unsound and factually baseless allegations made today by the D.C. Attorney General against the NFL and Commissioner Goodell and will vigorously defend against those claims.”

The lawsuit laid out several allegations:

  • The complaint alleged Snyder “cultivated an environment within the team that glorifies sexual harassment and punishes victims for speaking out.”
  • Minus a functional human resources department, “cheerleaders and female employees were exploited and harassed. Some male employees were bullied into participating in this hyper-masculine culture.”
  • Snyder “regularly told people to keep the cheerleaders ‘skinny with big [breasts].'”
  • Commanders executives snuck “photographs of cheerleaders in compromising situations during the shoot and [sent] the pictures to Snyder” — footage the lawsuit alleged “was often taken without the cheerleaders’ awareness or consent.”
  • The defendants worked to hinder the first independent investigation into the team led by former assistant U.S. Attorney Beth Wilkinson.

“Snyder and the Commanders misled the public about what was being done to address the allegations of harassment and the toxic culture that the Commanders maintained,” Racine said. “They did all of this to hide the truth, protect their images, and to let the prophets continue to roll in.”

The DC AG’s office plans to depose Snyder and others as well, issuing subpoenas for information related to the Wilkinson investigation.

Dan Snyder

Snyder ‘Exploring All Options’ With Potential Commanders Sale

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder announced the hire of Bank of America…
November 2, 2022

Two of the former employees sat to the right of Racine during the news conference: Melanie Coburn and Megan Imbert.

“This is what we’ve been shouting from the rooftops since this all started is seeking transparency and accountability,” Coburn, a former Commanders cheerleader and marketing director of the squad, told Front Office Sports.

Added Imbert: “To me, this is the most significant day over the last two-and-a-half years.”

The House Oversight Committee is expected to release its final findings from its probe that is also focused on hostile workplace allegations in the coming weeks. A second outside NFL investigation — one led by former SEC chief Mary Jo White — is also pending.

Racine’s office was among three attorneys general — including Virginia and Maryland — that launched investigations into the Commanders after they were sent copies of a letter from the House Oversight Committee related to the Federal Trade Commission in April.

But Racine said his office’s investigation began before that letter was sent and the lawsuit isn’t focused on alleged financial improprieties. But Racine said that his office’s inquiry in the financial misconduct isn’t closed.

“There’ll be more news on that next week,” he said.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Plans Hit Political Wall As Both Parties Say No

Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri oppose public funding for stadiums.
Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) scores on a pass in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium.

Why the NFL Isn’t a Sure Bet for Private-Equity Firms

Three teams have gotten PE investments since owners approved the rule change.

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.

Featured Today

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
Mar 24, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detailed view of the basketball sneakers worn by Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena.

Skechers Sued Over Allegedly Sketchy Go-Private Deal

The footwear giant agreed to be acquired by 3G Capital for $9.4 billion.
May 28, 2025

Arizona Father-Son Duo Plead Guilty to $280 Million Sportsplex Fraud

Randy Miller and his son Chad conned multiple investment firms. 
Zion Williamson
May 30, 2025

Zion Williamson Accused of Rape and Abuse in Lawsuit

The woman says their relationship began when he was at Duke in 2018.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Vince McMahon
May 28, 2025

Former WWE Exec Flips on Vince McMahon in Sex Abuse Lawsuit

Janel Grant and John Laurinaitis announced their settlement Wednesday.
Darin Ruf
May 23, 2025

Darin Ruf Sues Reds Over Career-Ending Knee Injury

Ruf played for five teams across nine major league seasons, hitting .239.
Indiana basketball's Adidas team shoe - January 5, 2025
May 22, 2025

Steve Madden Sues Adidas to Protect Its Own Use of Stripes

Adidas previously sued Steve Madden over trademark issues.
Tennis
May 21, 2025

ATP, WTA Ask Judge to Dismiss ‘Tennis Cartel’ Lawsuit 

The motions were filed late Tuesday and early Wednesday.