ASHBURN, Va. – Advocate for over 40 Washington Commanders Employees referred to as a letter despatched to the Home Committee on Oversight and Reform by former Speaker Tom Davis “astonishing hypocrisy” attributable to its requests and “apparent errors and omissions”.
Attorneys Lisa Banks and Debra Katz responded to Davis’ letter on Friday, which was despatched to the committee on Wednesday. It raised issues concerning the investigation course of and forged doubt on the credibility of assorted witnesses. Davis, who led the committee for 4 years, works for the legislation agency Holland & Knight, which represents the workforce.
Davis in addition to different attorneys for Commanders proprietor Dan Snyder say Congress solely interviewed 20 witnesses and none at present with the group to study concerning the workforce’s office tradition. He mentioned Beth Wilkinson, an lawyer investigating the workforce for the NFL, spoke to 150 folks. Davis additionally wrote that the investigation had develop into a partisan effort by Democrats.
In response, Banks and Katz wrote: “Washington Commanders and Dan Snyder have stoned the committee from the very starting of their investigation and have strongly refused to submit the very important requested paperwork and knowledge, together with the Beth Wilkinson investigations. Not restricted to findings.
Attorneys acknowledged that they wished to incorporate Wilkinson’s findings, however “as a result of Mr. Snyder and the NFL have declined to offer Wilkinson’s findings and supporting documentation to the committee, it has to start with part one to gather related info.” The investigation has been happening for over a 12 months, due in no small half to the workforce’s failure to cooperate.”
Davis pointed to former Washington workforce chairman Bruce Allen, who was finally labeled by Wilkinson because the workforce’s poisonous office tradition.
“We’re conscious that none of our purchasers have alleged that Mr. Allen performed any position within the harassment or abuse they skilled,” the attorneys wrote. “In truth, most have by no means even met Mr. Allen. It’s tough to attribute the workforce’s insistence that as a result of Mr. Allen is gone, the issues with the workforce’s tradition are previously.”
John Brownlee, additionally accompanied by Holland & Knight and the commanders’ authorized advisor, mentioned they despatched Davis’ letters in addition to emails from former staff as a result of they needed to “with the hope of placing the proof on document.” [the committee] Will think about this. They’ve achieved nothing to problem the credibility.”
Banks and Katz reiterated that they need Snyder to offer the committee with the findings of the Wilkinson investigation and to waive all nondisclosure agreements for present and former staff in order that they will converse to the committee. He additionally referred to as for “full and unfettered entry” by the committee to the workforce’s info and paperwork.
“In any other case, Dan Snyder and the Washington commanders ought to cease complaining concerning the proof base of the committee’s investigation,” he wrote.
The Home committee report is anticipated to be launched this fall, almost a 12 months after the investigation started.