Democrat asks Oversight chair to refer former Commanders owner Dan Snyder to DOJ

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is asking the chairman of the House Oversight Committee to refer former Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder for federal prosecution, alleging the businessman lied under oath in congressional testimony last year.

“Making false statements to Congress and obstructing congressional investigations are serious crimes,” Raskin wrote in the letter to Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) dated Wednesday. “This Committee cannot conduct effective oversight if witnesses misrepresent and obscure the truth.”

Snyder, who sold the Commanders this year for a record $6 billion, testified to the Oversight Committee for nearly 11 hours last July as part of an investigation into the team’s workplace culture and allegations of sexual harassment.

The NFL fined Snyder $60 million last month for sexually harassing an employee and withholding money from the league. That came after the league fined him $10 million in 2022 for other workplace misconduct.

The league investigation that resulted in the $10 million fine was criticized as not transparent or thorough and became the focus of the House probe. Then-Washington Attorney General Karl Racine (D) also sued the league and Snyder last year, saying they misled the District about the scope of that investigation.

Oversight Committee Democrats said in a report in December that Snyder gave “misleading” answers in his testimony to the panel. The investigation found Snyder “permitted and participated in” a “toxic” workplace culture.

“Our report tells the story of a team rife with sexual harassment and misconduct, a billionaire owner intent on deflecting blame, and an influential organization that chose to cover this up rather than seek accountability and stand up for employees,” the report stated. 

Raskin, in his letter, specifically cites Snyder’s denial of the sexual harassment claims in congressional testimony as a reason to consider prosecution. In a committee hearing under oath, former team employee Tiffani Johnston alleged Snyder inappropriately touched her, which the NFL’s later investigation confirmed. 

“Mr. Snyder’s testimony to the Committee suggests a deliberate effort to provide false testimony in an effort to obstruct a Congressional investigation,” Raskin said in the letter.

“Making false statements to Congress and obstructing Congressional investigations are serious crimes,” he added. “This Committee cannot conduct effective oversight if witnesses misrepresent and obscure the truth.”

“I therefore urge you to hold Mr. Snyder accountable by referring him to the Department of Justice for investigation and, if warranted, prosecution, for lying under oath and obstructing this Committee’s investigation,” he continued.