Attorney Beth Wilkinson, who is conducting the investigation, will now report to the leagueGETTY IMAGES
The NFL has "assumed oversight of the investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, sexism and mistreatment in the Washington Football Team workplace," according to sources cited by Clarke, Maske, Hobson & Reinhard of the WASHINGTON POST. The sources said that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and team Owner Daniel Snyder "discussed the issue and agreed it was best if attorney Beth Wilkinson, who is conducting the investigation, reports to the league instead of the team." Snyder has told the NFL that he will "release current and former team employees from nondisclosure agreements for the sole purpose of cooperating." Katz, Marshall & Banks partner Lisa J. Banks, whose firm represents more than 12 former employees, explained, "That will be extremely helpful in making employees and former employees come forward and share their experiences with the investigators." Clarke, Maske, Hobson & Reinhard report Banks and law partner Debra Katz yesterday "had a conference call" with NFL Senior VP Lisa Friel, the league's special counsel for investigations, which "represented a progress report of sorts on those issues." Regarding the request by Banks and Katz that the NFL commit to removing Snyder as majority owner if investigators substantiate what is being reported, Banks said they were told simply the "repercussions with the team will be commensurate with the report’s finding" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/1). ESPN.com's John Keim reported Goodell informed Snyder "of the change Monday night." But Snyder indicated that it was "his suggestion for the NFL to take over the investigation" (ESPN.com, 8/31).
