Statement from Lisa Banks and Debra Katz on Reports of New Financial Misconduct by Washington Commanders
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Lisa Banks and Debra Katz, the attorneys representing over 40 former Washington Commanders employees, released the below statement in response to new reporting by ESPN detailing additional allegations of financial improprieties by Dan Snyder and the Washington Commanders, and by The Washington Post detailing ongoing efforts by Snyder and the team to seek protection from the NFL and its owners.
“Over the past two and a half years, our clients have reported decades of sexual misconduct and financial improprieties by Dan Snyder and the Washington Commanders. In response, the team has called these former employees liars and opportunists, attempted to intimidate them through the use of private investigators, and even tried to shift blame onto them for the organization’s toxic culture of harassment and fraud.
“This week, not only have we have seen additional damning evidence that Snyder likely engaged in illegal financial dealings and cheated other owners, but we are also reminded of the unfathomable lengths that Roger Goodell and the NFL have gone to protect him. Indeed, Snyder continues to insist on special treatment and protection from the NFL and its owners, by reportedly demanding that the league indemnify him against all liability and also that it bury the results of an ongoing investigation that Commissioner Goodell promised our clients would be made public.
“As a result of our clients’ courage and tenacity, and despite Snyder’s efforts to evade accountability, investigations are ongoing by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia, which is investigating Snyder’s financial misconduct, and by Mary Jo White, who is in the final phase of her year-long NFL investigation into allegations of personal sexual misconduct by Snyder, and financial improprieties by the team.
“We look forward to seeing the results of these investigations, which we fully expect will confirm the unlawful actions of Dan Snyder and the team, and will result in long-awaited vindication for the brave women and men who made such accountability possible. No matter how wealthy or powerful, no owner, team or sports league is above the law.”