Former Washington Football TeamThe House Committee on Oversight and Reform announced Thursday morning that employees will discuss their claims of sexual harassment and verbal abuse with them on February 3. It is being called a “roundtable discussion”.
Ex-employees who will participate are: Emily Applegate, the former marketing coordinator and ticket sales rep; Melanie Coburn (a former cheerleader) and Rachel Engleson (a former intern who rose up to director of client relations and marketing); Ana Nunez (a former coordinator for business development client services); and Brad Baker (a former video production manager).
Debra Katz and Lisa Banks, representing 40 former Washington employees, stated that clients “look forward to sharing their experiences with the committee.” “Critical questions should be asked and answers to WFT’s pervasive culture sexual harassment, retaliation, as well as the NFL’s decision to permit owner Daniel Snyder to consolidate power and ownership interests rather than taking appropriate disciplinary action against him.”
Rep. Carol Maloney of D-N.Y. will be the chair of the panel discussion and give everyone on the committee an opportunity to ask questions about former employees.
Maloney released a statement saying that Washington Football Team employees had been subject to sexual harassment and verbal abuse for over twenty years. It is becoming clearer that the NFL did not protect its employees and went to great lengths in preventing the truth about the toxic work environment from being revealed. These abuses were covered up by the NFL, raising serious questions about their commitment to establishing workplace standards that protect employees. These victims deserve my admiration for sharing their stories with courage.
James Comer (the ranking Republican on this committee) stated to ESPN in a statement, that the roundtable was “misuse of these Committee’s resources by Democrats”.
A committee spokeswoman said that the meeting will take place in a traditional hearing room, but it will also be livestreamed via YouTube. However, participants won’t be sworn in. She confirmed that she has not been invited to the meeting by any NFL team member.
Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s spokesperson, stated that “We continue to collaborate with the committee.” We will not comment further on the ongoing process or the committee out of respect.
The roundtable will take place the day following the announcement of the new Washington Football Team name.
ESPN reported that Democrats on the panel told ESPN they are using the investigation to study potential legislative solutions for employees who face sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace. They stated to ESPN in October that the NFL should not have covered up information through nondisclosure agreements. These agreements were signed by former Washington employees.
The NFL announced that it had sanctioned Washington for creating a toxic environment on July 1. This was the result of an investigation into a series articles in The Washington Post claiming sexual harassment.
In October, Congress wrote to the NFL asking for information after emails uncovered in the investigation were published to the media. This led to the NFL’s resignation. Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden.
Gruden’s emails over seven years to Bruce Allen (then-Washington president) contained racist, antigay, misogynistic and other offensive language. These emails led to renewed demands for the NFL’s release of the results of its independent investigation into Washington Football Team’s workplace.
The congressional committee asked for five pages of information and answers from the NFL in a five page letter. These questions included: Beth Wilkinson’s role in the investigation into Washington Football Team’s workplace culture; the reasons there was no written report after 150 people had been interviewed; and what role Jeff Pash (NFL’s general counsel) played in the investigation following his close relationship with Allen.
In November, the NFL informed ESPN that it was cooperating in the investigation and continued to provide requested documentation.
After the 2019 season, Allen was fired. Others within the organization that were accused of contributing to the toxic workplace or sexual harassment have been dismissed or retired.
Some Democrats on the Oversight Committee expressed an interest in Snyder’s role in the overall workplace culture of the organization.
According to ESPN, the roundtable discussion is an ongoing step in the investigation of the committee and not the end.
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, stated that the investigation would continue until those responsible for sexual harassment are brought to justice. “No one deserves to be harassed at work. This Committee will do everything it can to protect employees at WFT and elsewhere.”