House Oversight Committee asks Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder to reconsider not testifying at hearing

The House Oversight Committee chairwoman implored Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder to reconsider his decision not to testify at a hearing next week, also saying Snyder's reasons for rejecting their invitation were based on inaccuracies.

Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) sent a six-page letter to Snyder's attorney, Karen Patten Seymour, saying Snyder could testify virtually at the June 22 hearing, like NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will do. Maloney gave Snyder a 9 a.m. Monday deadline to change his mind after what she termed were «additional accommodations.»

Congress started investigating Snyder in October, approximately four months after the NFL concluded its own investigation. The league fined Washington $10 million. Congress, though, opened its investigation after complaints about a lack of transparency by the NFL into what was learned. Attorney Beth Wilkinson delivered her report orally, leading to the initial fine.

During a round table session in February, former employee Tiffani Johnston alleged Snyder placed his hand on her leg under the table at a business dinner and that he tried to force her into his limousine.

On Wednesday, Seymour sent a five-page letter to the committee explaining why Snyder would not testify.

Seymour said Snyder would be out of the country on a long-planned business trip. She also said Snyder had asked to receive documents beforehand.

But Maloney wrote that Seymour's letter contained a «number of inaccurate assertions and demands but do not include any valid reason for Mr. Snyder's refusal to appear.»

Maloney said the committee offered to accommodate Snyder's plans to attend an awards ceremony in France by permitting him to appear remotely.

«Mr. Snyder has not identified any