Lawyer for Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder declined to accept House committee's subpoena, sources say

play

A spokesman for the committee said on Monday that the owner of the Washington Commanders has not yet accepted a subpoena.

According to two sources familiar with the negotiations, the committee tried to send the subpoena via email on Friday, but Karen Seymour refused to accept it.

Last week, the chair of the committee, Carolyn Maloney (D-New York), announced she would issue the subpoena for Snyder to be deposed by Congressional investigators after his attorney repeatedly declined the committee's invitation to testify with the NFL commissioner.

The committee is committed to ensuring transparency about the toxic workplace culture at the Washington Commanders and the NFL's inadequate response.

A person with knowledge of the situation said on Monday that Mr. Snyder would appear for a deposition. The only date the Committee could offer was June 30. Mr. Snyder's lawyer has provided alternative dates to the Committee and hopes to find a path forward for Mr.

"While the Committee has been, and remains, willing to consider reasonable accommodations requested by witnesses, we will not tolerate attempts to evade service of a duly authorized subpoena or seek special treatment not afforded to other witnesses who testified in this matter."

According to Dave Rapallo, Georgetown University's Federal Legislation Clinic director and the Democratic staff director of the House Oversight Committee, most congressional subpoenas are accepted electronically. He said the committee can have the U.S. marshals serve a subpoena in person.

It's rare that marshals need to serve a subpoena in person. Lawyers usually accept subpoenas electronically.

Rapallo said that if he complies with the subpoena, he can plead the Fifth Amendment, which protects against self-incrimination. His attorneys could file a lawsuit against the subpoena. If he doesn't comply with the subpoena, the committee could hold him in contempt.