Washington owner Daniel Snyder said on Friday that the behavior described in a Washington Post report “had no place in our franchise or our company.” The report details the accusations of 15 former team members who claim to be frequent targets of sexual harassment and to have been verbally assaulted by front office staff.
“The behavior described in yesterday’s Washington Post article has no place in our franchise or our company,” Snyder said in a team statement.
“This story has reinforced my commitment to establishing a new culture and new standards for our team, a process that began with the hiring of Coach [Ron] Rivera earlier this year.
“Beth Wilkinson and her office are empowered to conduct a full and impartial investigation and make all necessary recommendations. At the end of her work, we will put in place new policies and procedures and strengthen our human resources infrastructure to not only avoid these problems in the future but above all create a team culture respectful and inclusive of all. “
Snyder hired a law firm in the District of Columbia on Thursday to examine the club’s culture, policies and allegations of workplace misconduct. Wilkinson of Wilkinson Walsh LLP confirmed to the Associated Press that the firm had been retained to conduct an independent review.
In a statement included in the Post report, the team said on Thursday that it took employee behavior issues seriously and added: “Although we are not talking publicly about specific employee situations, when new allegations are made are contrary to these policies, we are addressing them quickly. “
Player personnel director Alex Santos, assistant Richard Mann II and longtime broadcaster and senior vice president Larry Michael are no longer on the team. Michael announced Wednesday that he is retiring after 16 years.
Santos, Mann, Michael and former business leaders Dennis Greene and Mitch Gershman were mentioned in the story of the Post.
“These cases, as reported, are serious, disturbing and contrary to NFL values. Everyone in the NFL has the right to work in an environment free from any form of harassment. Washington has hired a lawyer outside to thoroughly investigate these allegations. The club has committed to cooperate fully with the investigator and we expect the club and all employees to do so. We will meet with the lawyers at the end of their investigation and will take any action based on the results. “
