Washington Commanders release statement on NFL’s independent investigation into franchise

The NFL has informed the House Committee on Oversight and Reform that Mary Jo White, who served as the 31st chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 2013 to 2017 under the Obama Administration, will head the investigation on the Washington Commanders and owner Dan Snyder.

“The Washington Commanders are pleased that the NFL has appointed Mary Jo White to look into the recent allegations made by Tiffani Johnston,” the statement read. “The Commanders have always been intent on having a full and fair investigation of this matter conducted and to releasing the results of that investigation. Given the Team’s confidence in Ms. White’s ability to conduct such a full and fair investigation, the Commanders will not separately pursue an investigation and will cooperate fully with Ms. White.”

Johnston, a former marketing and events coordinator for Washington, spoke to a congressional committee at a roundtable discussion on Feb. 3. She stated that she was “strategically” placed next to Snyder during a dinner around 2005 or 2006. She said Snyder told her, “not to discuss business, but to allow him, Dan Snyder, to place his hand on my thigh under the table.” She also said Snyder later tried to force her into his limousine after the fact. She also presented a witness in Jason Friedman, who is also a former employee for Washington.

“Having a new investigator, with no such prior knowledge, assess Ms. Johnston’s allegations and Mr. Snyder’s denials in a vacuum makes no sense at all,” the statement read. “That said, we will discuss with Ms. Johnston her willingness to participate, and are pleased that the NFL has agreed to make the results public. On behalf of our many other clients, we urge Commissioner Goodell to make the same decision with respect to Ms. Wilkinson’s investigation. Certainly the results of that comprehensive investigation would provide an important blueprint for the new investigator to conduct her work.”

White is no stranger to investigations within the NFL, however. She also led the 2018 investigation into Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, who was accused sexual harassment and use of a racial slur by several former Carolina employees. Richardson sold the team long before White’s five-month investigation ended, but that didn’t stop the league from fining him $2.75 million after her investigation ended.

If Congress is not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation, or if they feel the need for more action, it could choose to hold hearings and issue subpoenas, if necessary.