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Daniel Snyder
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Patrick Semansky/AP
NFL team Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder has obstructed a sexual harassment investigation against him.
This is the conclusion reached by a US congressional committee.
Evidence was found that the 57-year-old businessman and film producer tried to influence witnesses and obstruct the investigation, a statement released ahead of the hearing said.
Snyder's legal team used private investigators at his behest to harass and intimidate witnesses while the National Football League (NFL) investigated the Commanders (formerly Washington Redskins) for widespread workplace misconduct.
He also used a legal battle abroad as a pretext to obtain telephone recordings and emails that he intended to use against victims, witnesses and journalists.
Sexual harassment of female employees
The 29-page memorandum from the House Oversight and Reform Committee sets out the findings of an eight-month investigation into how the Commanders and the NFL dealt with allegations of sexual harassment by team members.
The report was released ahead of a hearing on the case, to which Snyder himself did not appear, ostensibly because of an overseas business appointment and due process concerns.
For committee chair Carolyn Maloney, "a clear sign that he cares more about protecting himself than pouring out the white wine to the American public."
You will now summon him.
A spokesman for Snyders spoke of a "politically charged show trial" and the verdict was clear from the start.
Last year, the league fined the team $10 million for a "general lack of respect" for women in the workplace.
svs/Reuters/AP