The House Committee on Oversight and Reform is continuing its investigation into the Washington Commanders and the franchise’s formerly toxic workplace. During its investigation, the committee uncovered more troubling claims, this time of the financial variety.
When news broke that the Commanders were being investigated for alleged “financial improprieties,” not much was known regarding the veracity of those claims. However, it didn’t take long for the news to break of Washington’s alleged ticket fraud.
The Committee sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission alleging the NFL franchise was participating in unlawful financial misconduct. The Commanders issued a strong response in denial.
So, where are we now?
This week, a ranking Republican member of the Committee questioned the motives and findings of the Democratic-led investigation into the NFL team.
Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) wrote the following, per Mark Maske of The Washington Post:
“Your reckless, ends-oriented investigation is an embarrassment to our Committee and a misuse of congressional oversight authority,” Comer wrote.
“It is yet another example of Democrats exceeding the bounds of what is permissible for Congress to investigate. Even if this investigation was conducted with balanced and proper fact-finding, which it has not been, there is no recourse in the Oversight Committee for any of the allegedly aggrieved parties. This investigation is wasting valuable taxpayer resources — especially at a time when the American people are struggling with increasing inflation.”
Of course, the Democrats responded:
“I am surprised that the Ranking Member believes that protecting workers from toxic workplaces is not a subject worthy of the Committee’s attention, especially after both Democratic and Republican Members condemned the ‘abhorrent behavior’ revealed by the Committee’s investigation and called for more transparency,” committee chairwoman Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.) wrote in a statement.
In their letter to the FTC, the Commanders included what they felt was substantial evidence, refuting the testimony of former team employee Jason Friedman.
This week’s happenings are the latest back-and-forth between not only Democrats and Republicans but also the House Committee and the Commanders.
When will we finally have a resolution? That could be a while.