Washington owner, ex-employees accused of sexual harassment and misconduct
Multiple former Washington Football Team employees have accused owner Dan Snyder and other ex-employees of sexual harassment and misconduct, according to an investigation by The Washington Post's Will Hobson, Beth Reinhard, Liz Clarke, and Dalton Bennett on Wednesday.
Former Washington cheerleader Tiffany Bacon Scourby is one of 25 women who says she experienced sexual harassment while working for the team. Bacon Scourby said that, during a 2004 charity event, Snyder suggested she should join his friend in their hotel room to "get to know each other better."
Most of the other women who spoke to the Post opted to remain anonymous, but detailed male bosses, colleagues, and players commenting on their bodies, using sexual innuendos, and making unwanted advances during their tenure. Many decided to speak out after 15 other former female employees alleged in July that they'd experienced sexual harassment from Washington execs.
Larry Michael, the former longtime radio announcer for the club who resigned last month, was also named in the report. Brad Baker, an ex-broadcasting staff member, said Michael asked him to create a video for Snyder comprised of outtakes from the team's official 2008 cheerleader calendar photoshoot that contained partial nudity, without the women's knowledge or consent.
Baker said the clips were referred to as "the good bits" and a similar video was requested and produced for the 2010 shoot.
Snyder responded to the Washington Post investigation Wednesday afternoon, taking full responsibility for his team's internal culture but saying the article read like a "hit job" and denying the accusations made against him.
"The article is riddled with questionable and unnamed sources, decades-old allegations, and is not a reflection of the Washington Football Team today," his statement read. "I am going to work relentlessly to improve all aspects of the Washington Football Team and make this an organization that sets a positive example we can all be proud of."
Michael also denied all allegations and said he had no knowledge of such videos, though the Post obtained the 2008 video via another former employee and a similar video from 2010.
Following the initial reports of sexual harassment, the owner publicly stated that such behavior "has no place in our franchise" while working with new head coach Ron Rivera to implement a new culture within the organization.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell issued a statement Wednesday evening, condemning the behavior alleged to have taken place within the franchise.
"We strongly condemn the unprofessional, disturbing, and abhorrent behavior and workplace environment alleged in the report, which is entirely inconsistent with our standards and has no place in the NFL," Goodell said.
The league is in the process of conducting an independent investigation into the matter.
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