Virginia attorney general's office to investigate Washington Commanders' alleged financial improprieties

ASHBURN, Va. — The Virginia attorney general's office will open an investigation into allegations that the Washington Commanders engaged in financial improprieties, according to a letter it emailed the franchise Monday.

The letter comes after the House Oversight and Reform Committee sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission on April 12. That letter was also sent to the office of Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares as well as to the attorney generals for Maryland and Washington, D.C., informing them of alleged financial improprieties by the team.

Miyares told the team he felt it was his «responsibility to carefully examine the material facts after it was brought to my attention.»

In the letter addressed to Washington's attorney, Jordan Siev, Miyares requested «full cooperation and transparency» during their inquiry.

«I have not prejudged the issues,» Miyares wrote.

The Commanders on Monday referred to a previous statement by a team spokesperson that read, «The team categorically denies any suggestion of financial impropriety of any kind at any time. We adhere to strict internal processes that are consistent with industry and accounting standards, are audited annually by a globally respected independent auditing firm, and are also subject to regular audits by the NFL. We continue to cooperate fully with the Committee's work.»

The investigation will be led by Steven Popps, deputy attorney general for the civil division. It will involve the consumer protection section with the civil division, but could expand to the criminal division based on the findings.

Former Washington employee Jason Friedman, a former vice president of sales and customer service, made the allegations during an interview with the committee on