Congress hears Washington Commanders NFL team owner conducted 'shadow' probe

Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder was ordered to appear before a US Congressional panel investigating allegations of workplace malpractice at the club as new evidence accused him of trying to thwart an NFL inquiry.

Carolyn Maloney, the chairwoman of the House committee on oversight and reform, said that Mr Snyder would be subpoenaed after his "continued and unfounded refusal" to provide voluntary testimony.

Ana Nunez, former coordinator of business development and client service and account executive for Washington's NFL team was overcome with emotion as she testified. AP

"Mr Snyder's refusal to testify sends a clear signal that he is more concerned about protecting himself than coming clean to the American public," Ms Maloney said.

"If the NFL is unwilling to hold Mr Snyder accountable, then I am prepared to do so."

The Congressional panel has been conducting a probe into workplace misconduct and sexual harassment at Washington's NFL franchise.

The team was fined $10 million by the NFL last year after an investigation found evidence of sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation.

In February, a former cheerleader and marketing executive with the team told the panel how she had been sexually harassed by Mr Snyder.

It was the first time the Commanders boss had been publicly accused of inappropriate behaviour.

On Wednesday, politicians released a 29-page memo that detailed how the Commanders had dealt with allegations made by female employees at the club.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in testimony before a Congress panel on Wednesday that there were "compelling reasons" not to make the full findings of the investigation public. EPA

The memo said Mr Snyder had launched a "shadow investigation" designed to