Fifteen women have alleged sexual harassment against the Washington football team, formerly known as the Redskins, according to a Washington Post article. The article detailed a pattern of sexual harassment and verbal abuse within the Washington Redskins organization.
Exclusive: Fifteen women who worked for Redskins allege sexual harassment by former scouts and members of owner Daniel Snyder’s inner circle https://t.co/MwMTOFupF9
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 16, 2020
Harassment in the Washington Organization
This story included interviews with more than 40 current and former employees. Text messages and internal company documents were also reviewed. The allegations raised by former employee Emily Applegate and others occurred over the time period spanning 2006-2019, a majority of owner Daniel Snyder’s tenure, who purchased the team in 1999.
Among the men accused of harassment and verbal abuse are three former members of the team. Larry Michael, the club’s longtime radio voice, Alex Santos, the team’s director of pro personnel, and Richard Mann II, assistant director of pro personnel, all recently left the organization. In addition, Dennis Greene, former president of business operations, was also listed for inappropriate behavior.
None of these women allege any inappropriate behavior from Snyder or former president Bruce Allen. At the time of this publication, it is unknown whether either was aware of these alleged incidents.
Snyder’s Rule Through the Organization
It was also reported that Snyder routinely belittled top executives. In addition, Snyder had ordered Greene, a cheerleader in college, to do cartwheels for their entertainment. Julia Payne, former vice president of communications for the team in 2003, says that she has “never been in a more hostile, manipulative, passive-aggressive environment … and I worked in politics.” Payne was also a former assistant press secretary in the Clinton Administration.
Aftermath
Applegate has been asked by members within the organization about whether or not she is afraid of potential backlash. She had a simple response. “I don’t see what I have to be afraid of,” she said. “I’m just telling the truth.” When asked why she endured everything, she replied, “I needed to keep my job.”
“When it comes down to it, 98 percent of people make decisions on stuff like this based on needing to keep their jobs … which is why this stuff goes on for so long,” Applegate added.
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