Washington Commanders Owner Daniel Snyder Accused of Obstructing Congressional Investigation

Daniel Snyder Official Team Picture

Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder is in big trouble with the American Congress. The owner of the NFL team that plays in America’s capitol is accused of holding his own “shadow investigation” in parallel to a congressional one into accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct within the Commanders organization.

The House Committee on Oversight and Reform released its finding on the matter in which it accused him of working with the NFL to interfere with the committee’s investigation and even bury the evidence. The committee now says that it plans on subpoenaing Daniel Snyder himself to testify before it, but he could always exercise his 5th Amendment rights.

Committee chairwoman Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) said, “Mr. Snyder has not been held accountable. His refusal to testify sends a clear message that he is more concerned about protecting himself than coming clean with the American people. If the NFL is unwilling or unable to hold Mr. Snyder accountable, then I am prepared to do so.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell already testified this week before the committee. Some committee members revealed their ignorance as to how the NFL actually operates when they asked Goodell if he would remove Daniel Snyder from his ownership of the Washington Commanders. The commissioner was forced to explain to them that he has no such authority to do so.

The Washington Commanders released a statement in response saying that the committee’s investigation into Daniel Snyder was, “predetermined from the beginning.”

“The committee’s decision to release a ‘report’ and introduce legislation prior to the hearing is proof-positive this was always going to be little more than a politically-charged show trial, not about uncovering the truth,” said the team. “Hopefully, the committee will utilize its resources going forward for more pressing national matters, instead of an issue a football team addressed years ago.”

Allegations of sexual assault and harassment on the part of people in management positions with the NFL’s Washington Team have been rampant for years. But this is the first time that Daniel Snyder himself has been unmasked as an offender.

At the end of 2020 it was revealed that Daniel Snyder paid $1.6 million in a settlement over sexual misconduct accusations made against him. The money was paid to a former employee of the team formerly known as the Washington Redskins over allegations that Mr. Snyder committed unwanted sexual acts of some form while riding on a private plane with her in 2009.

Forty women came forward that year saying sexual misconduct has been rampant in Washington’s organization during Snyder’s ownership. Allegations include Larry Michael, a former team broadcaster and executive, requesting outtakes from cheerleader video shoots in 2008 and 2010—allegedly at Snyder’s behest.

And this is yet another hit on the Washington Commanders who found out just a few months ago that they lost Anheuser-Busch as a team sponsor. The popular beer company behind the Budweiser brand did not give any specific reason for its decision and continues to sponsor the NFL.

Daniel Snyder’s official bio on the Washington Commanders’ website is quite flattering, however, calling him a self-made man and an “entrepreneur at heart, Dan Snyder’s life is marked by an enduring passion for the people, the team and the community he loves.”

“Snyder has put his passion into action since purchasing the team in 1999, consistently leading the franchise to new prominence in the community, the business world and the National Football League. Under his leadership, the team has raised millions of dollars for charitable efforts and maintained its place in the top tier of the world’s most valuable sports franchises.”

Unfortunately for Snyder, however, not of that will matter should he be charged with any crimes.