USA TODAY sports
More facts are coming to light regarding the recent reporting of alleged financial irregularities within the Washington Commanders organization.
According to TheAthletic.com’s Daniel Kaplan, an employee who worked for the Commanders for 24 years testified before the US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform and “alleged financial misconduct.” Jason Friedman made the secret statement that Kaplan writes “triggered” multiple reports in recent days, including bombastic allegations that the team withheld payments from ticket sales, which go into a league-wide pool for visiting teams.
Kaplan, citing an unnamed source, reports that “Friedman has not provided any evidence to support his claims.” Kaplan also points out that it’s unclear if Friedman held a position that would have given him access to records or other evidence that would support the claims.
Friedman previously delivered a letter to the committee confirming allegations made by former team employee Tiffani Johnston against Commanders owner Daniel Snyder. His testimony probably related to this incident, along with his allegations of financial irregularities.
A spokesman for the Republican members of the committee appeared to indirectly target Friedman with this comment, released after the recent coverage: “The leak of unilateral, unverified, unsupported allegations from a disgruntled ex-employee with an ax to grind is just further evidence for making the Democrat investigation a waste of Congressional time. Nothing the committee has heard from credible witnesses indicates financial irregularities; In fact, the only credible witness capable of knowing the facts Democrats have heard has denied such improprieties.”
In our view, there is no gray area here. Financial irregularities have happened or they have not happened. Friedman’s statement is a starting point. The end point is evidence to support his claims, or evidence to disprove his claims (or lack of evidence to support his claims).
And if all of that is nothing, it’s safe to assume the league or team will be loud about it.
Commanders issued a statement last week after initial reports of possible financial irregularities. Since Saturday’s report by FrontOfficeSports.com’s AJ Perez, there has been no concrete statement regarding the allegation that monies were withheld from the visiting team’s fund.
Given the potential ramifications of this specific claim, which would no doubt topple Snyder, it’s hard to imagine the league and team remaining silent.