- The Washington Times - Thursday, July 20, 2023

Minutes after owners approved the Commanders’ sale to billionaire Josh Harris, the NFL issued a $60 million fine to Dan Snyder as the league released its long-awaited report Thursday from investigator Mary Jo White.

In a 23-page report, the league found credible accusations from a former Washington employee that Mr. Snyder sexually harassed her and found that the Commanders hid at least $11 million in revenue that was supposed to be shared with the rest of the NFL

Ms. White, the former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, conducted a 17-month investigation in which she spoke to 44 witnesses. The report said despite the Commanders’ and Mr.Snyder’s pledge to fully cooperate, the soon-to-be-former owner and his executives failed to do so. The report said for nearly a year, Mr. Snyder refused to be interviewed, and when he finally agreed, he declared the session would be limited to one hour. 

In a press release, the NFL said that Snyder will pay $60 million to the league “in resolution of Ms. White’s findings and all outstanding matters.”

Mr. Snyder sold the Commanders to an investment group led by Mr. Harris for a record $6.05 billion. 

“The conduct substantiated in Ms. White’s findings has no place in the NFL,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “We strive for workplaces that are safe, respectful and professional. What Ms. Johnston experienced is inappropriate and contrary to the NFL’s values.” 

The NFL began investigating the Commanders again in February 2022 when former employee Tiffani Johnston told members of Congress that  Snyder made an unwanted advance at a work dinner by touching her thigh and trying to coax her into his limo. The embattled billionaire fiercely denied the claims, but the league still launched another probe into Snyder and the team. 

The NFL previously issued a $10 million fine to Washington in July 2021 for the team’s workplace misconduct scandal. More than 40 former employees said they witnessed or experienced sexual harassment while working for the team, and the NFL found the Commanders had a “toxic” workplace.  

Ms. White’s probe found the allegations by Johnston to be credible. Ms. White’s firm spoke to four witnesses who said Ms. Johnston informed them of the incident — which she said happened in the spring of 2005 or 2006 — shortly after it happened and that their recounts were consistent with what Ms. Johnston told Congress and the NFL

“We credit Ms. Johnston’s account that Mr. Snyder put his hand on her thigh under the restaurant table (which she removed without comment) and pushed her towards his car after a work-related dinner, and that Ms. Johnston did not consent, in any way, to Mr. Snyder’s actions,” the report said. “While we could not determine the precise date of the incident and the identities of all dinner attendees, we sustained Ms. Johnston’s allegations. 

“We spoke to Ms. Johnston several times and found her to be highly credible. Her account of the incident was also corroborated by other witnesses and evidence.” 

Mr. Snyder, according to the league, denied the allegations in his hour conversation with White. 

As for the financial misconduct, White’s probe found that the Commanders withheld at least $11 million from the rest of the league that was supposed to be shared as part of the NFL’s revenue-sharing rules. 

Ms. White’s investigation expanded to look into Washington’s financials in April 2022 when former Washington sales executive Jason Friedman told members of Congress that the Commanders committed several financial improprieties. He testified that the team moved revenue around to hide from the NFL, as well as intentionally withheld refundable security deposits from season ticket holders. 

The Commanders, shortly after his testimony came to light, strongly pushed back against Mr. Friedman’s allegations by claiming that he was a disgruntled former employee who was fired for misconduct. Earlier this month, Mr. Friedman filed a defamation lawsuit against the Commanders and one of their attorneys. 

Ms. White, however, found Friedman to be credible. And upon review of the team’s financials, the probe concluded that $11 million — “including those from Mr. Friedman’s allegations” — should have been shared. Ms. White’s firm also was unable to conclude whether there were tens of millions in additional dollars that might have been withheld because the team did not fully cooperate with the probe. 

The probe also found that as of July 17, the Commanders still owed $1.9 million in refundable security deposits to inactive account holders and have been trying to address the issues. Over the past year, the Commanders have settled cases with the attorney general offices in D.C. and Maryland in regard to refundable security deposits. In both instances, the team agreed to pay a financial penalty and repay customers, but did not acknowledge any wrongdoing. 

Mr. Snyder denied any knowledge of the financial misconduct and Ms. White’s probe said it could not find any evidence to counteract that. However, the probe noted that Mr. Snyder was known for his hands-on management and monitoring  of the team’s finances, while witnesses described his goal to “get every last dollar.” 

“Mr. Snyder, at a minimum, set a tone at the top that led to and encouraged the Club’s various schemes to shield NFL revenues from sharing,” the report said. “He acknowledged in his interview that he, as CEO and owner, would be responsible for any misconduct by the Club.” 

• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.

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