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The drama between the NFL/Roger Goodell and Dan Snyder/Washington entered a new chapter last night. The NFL sent the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Reform a letter stating it was Washington who is blocking access to 109,000 documents from the investigation into their toxic workplace. This falls on line with the report that Dan Snyder had an agreement with the league that allowed him to control what was released from the Beth Wilkinson-led investigation, and both sides had to agree to anything being made available to outside parties.
The Washington Commanders released a statement claiming they haven't blocked the release of any non-priveleged documents and won't in the future. Washington will likely continue to hide as much information from the investigation into sexual harassment until it is compelled to do so legally. Congress set a deadline for all documents to be turned over for Monday, but it is unlikely that Washington will give them everything they requested.
The NFL is clearly stating that Dan Snyder and the Washington Commanders are the problem that is preventing the Committee from getting the documents they demanded. The NFL is far from blameless in this situation. It was reported that Dan Snyder originally requested a written report when he initially hired Wilkinson. Roger Goodell only wanted an oral report when the NFL took over, and then claimed it wouldn't release details to protect the people that had spoken with investigators.
The NFL and Dan Snyder butted heads again on Wednesday when Washington said they would be conducting an investigation into the accusations from Tiffany Johnston that directly involved Snyder. Roger Goodell said the NFL would be the ones investigating Snyder and that the the power to remove an owner rests with the 31 other owners.
NFL's message to Congress:
New from me and @NickiJhabvala: The NFL writes to the House Oversight Committee that the Washington team is denying access to approximately 109,000 documents related to the Beth Wilkinson investigation.... https://t.co/Xg7VRjd84i
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) February 10, 2022
The NFL wrote in its letter that the documents are possessed by an e-discovery vendor that won't give the league access without the team's consent, adding: "The NFL promptly directed the team to provide its consent to the vendor, but the team repeatedly has refused to do so.” https://t.co/ZJET35kPBH
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) February 10, 2022
Pages 5-6 pic.twitter.com/69XdtyIdfS
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) February 10, 2022
Washington's statement:
Washington owner Daniel Snyder denies these claims:
— Darren M. Haynes (@DarrenMHaynes) February 11, 2022
“The Commanders have never prevented the NFL from obtaining any non-privileged documents and will not do so in the future.” - Jordan Siev (Lawyer for Dan Snyder) @wusa9
#TakeCommand
More: https://t.co/gGuI2D79HV
Congress's response:
Statement from a spokesperson for the House Committee on Oversight and Reform: pic.twitter.com/nrCNLZ8v9l
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 11, 2022
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