DC sues Commanders, Snyder over ‘deception’ regarding sexual harassment investigation

D.C.’s attorney general on Thursday announced that he has filed a consumer protection lawsuit against the Washington Commanders, owner Dan Snyder, the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell, saying they had “repeatedly lied to and deceived” D.C. consumers about the investigation into sexual harassment of team workers.

At the heart of Racine’s allegations is the charge that, after the NFL took over an investigation into the harassment and abuse allegations, they entered into “a secret agreement” with Snyder.

Racine said the NFL’s actions gave the impression “that they were stepping in to assume oversight” and that a full, independent investigation was going to be done.

Instead, Snyder, Racine said, interfered with the investigation, sending people to contact and intimidate witnesses.

Under the alleged agreement, the NFL “provided Snyder even greater access to witnesses and the investigative team,” Racine’s office said in a statement later, “further frustrating the effort to uncover the truth” — as well as the power to decide what information the public would see.

The NFL’s report hasn’t been released to the public.

Racine said he was suing under D.C.’s Consumer Protection Act, saying it covered all false statements by merchants who sell goods or services to residents of the District.

The lawsuit seeks financial penalties “for every incident in which the Commanders, Snyder, the NFL, and Goodell lied to District residents dating back to July 2020,” Racine’s office said. It also will ask a court to order the release of the report.

Last week, Snyder engaged Bank of America to “explore transactions” that could include the selling of the team.

“If he sells the team, he’s still a defendant,” Racine said.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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