Wednesday 13 July 2022 07:36 PM Commanders owner Dan Snyder REFUSES to testify to congress under subpoena, but ... trends now Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder is refusing to testify under subpoena at a congressional hearing on hostile workplace claims against the NFL club, but says he will instead do so voluntarily via Zoom call. Snyder's refusal comes a day after the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform accepted his offer to testify virtually at the July 28 hearing, stipulating that he be questioned under subpoena. That's significant, because if Snyder testifies voluntarily, he can cite any existing non-disclosure agreements in refusing to answer particular questions. But under subpoena, the 57-year-old billionaire would be compelled to testify fully. Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney wrote a letter to attorney Karen Patton Seymour on Tuesday explaining that a subpoena is necessary 'to ensure that Mr. Snyder's testimony will be full and complete and will not be restricted in the way it would be if the deposition were conducted voluntarily.' In Wednesday's response, obtained by DailyMail.com from a source familiar with the discussions, Patton Seymour wrote that Snyder would testify virtually, but only do so voluntarily. 'Under the circumstances, there is no valid basis to issue a subpoena for Mr. Snyder's testimony,' Patton Seymour wrote. 'We intend that he will testify voluntarily on Jury 29, as he has long agreed and looks forward to the opportunity to do.' A spokesperson for the Committee did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder is refusing to testify under subpoena at a congressional hearing on hostile workplace claims against the NFL club, but says he will instead do so voluntarily via Zoom call. Snyder's refusal comes a day after the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform accepted his offer to testify virtually at the July 28 hearing, stipulating that he be questioned under subpoena. Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney wrote a letter to attorney Karen Patton Seymour on Tuesday explaining that a subpoena is necessary 'to ensure that Mr. Snyder's testimony will be full and complete and will not be restricted in the way it would be if the deposition were conducted voluntarily' In her response, obtained by DailyMail.com from a source familiar with the discussions, Patton Seymour wrote that Snyder would testify virtually, but only do so voluntarily Snyder was absent at the Committee's June 22 hearing, where NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell testified virtually. For months, the Committee has been investigating the Commanders' workplace culture, which has been described as toxic. Various reports have detailed claims of sexual harassment made by female ex-employees against male co-workers and supervisors, many of whom have since been dismissed. Sexual harassment allegations against team employees ranged from inappropriate comments to the creation of a lewd behind-the-scenes video from a cheerleader calendar shoot in 2008, according to a 2020 Washington Post report that first publicized the claims. Furthermore, a former cheerleader also alleged that Snyder suggested that she join his 'close friend' in a hotel room in 2004 so they 'could get to know each other.' Those revelations prompted a team investigation handled independently by DC-area attorney Beth Wilkinson, but the league quickly assumed control of that probe with Wilkinson's team reporting to the commissioner's office. The NFL then issued a $10 million fine to punish the club (which is worth an estimated $4.2 billion) and Snyder volunteered to cede day-to-day control of the team to his wife, Tanya. But the league's refusal to release a report on its investigation, citing privacy concerns of witnesses, prompted the Oversight Committee to launch its own investigation into the team, Snyder, and even the NFL. That investigation has led to more allegations of sexual harassment. Specifically, former team employee Tiffani Johnston testified in February that Snyder grabbed her thigh at a team dinner and pressured her to get into a limousine – claims that Snyder has since denied. Johnston's testimony triggered a new league investigation that's currently being led by Mary Jo White, a former US attorney and chairwoman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. White is also looking into claims of financial improprieties alleged by a former vice president of sales for the team – an accusation that is also being investigated the Virginia attorney general's office. The NFL has said White's findings will be made public, and Goodell reiterated that point at Wednesday's hearing. The team has denied the accusations of financial malpractice. Prior to the Committee's hearing, members revealed new evidence that they claim 'sheds light' on Snyder's role in 'creating a hostile work environment.' In a press release, the Committee accused Snyder of attempting to discredit victims with his own shadow investigation aimed at influencing the NFL's internal probe of the team and discouraging witnesses from coming forward. That league investigation was concluded in 2020 and resulted in a $10 million fine for the club, but no public report was ever released, perhaps saving Snyder from more public criticism. Despite that, Goodell repeated Wednesday that 'Dan Snyder has been held accountable,' and deflected questions about the absence of any report by saying the NFL was protecting confidentiality agreements with witnesses. Ex-Commanders employee Tiffani Johnston told Congress' Oversight Committee that Snyder once groped her thigh during a team dinner and pushed her toward his limousine with his hand on her lower back. Snyder has denied the allegation All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility