Commanders Under Investigation For 'Financial Improprieties': ESPN

ASHBURN, VA — A U.S. attorney in Virginia is investigating the Washington Commanders football team in response to allegations that the team is "engaged in financial improprieties," according to an ESPN report citing anonymous sources.

According to ESPN, the investigation by the U.S. attorney's office in the Eastern District of Virginia was triggered by a letter sent by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform to the Federal Trade Commission and several attorneys general in April.

In the letter, the team was accused of deceptive business practices including withholding ticket revenue from visiting teams and refundable deposits from fans.

When asked by ESPN for comment, NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said, "The NFL in April engaged former SEC chair Mary Jo White to look into this matter. The review is ongoing."

A lawyer representing the Commanders told ESPN that the allegations were false. "We are confident that, after these agencies have had a chance to review the documents and complete their work, they will come to the same conclusion as the team's internal review — that these allegations are simply untrue," John Brownlee of Holland & Knight said in a statement to ESPN.

News of the investigation came just hours after Commanders owner Dan Snyder said he hired Bank of America Securities to consider a potential sale of the team.

• RELATED: Dan Snyder To Consider Potential Sale Of Washington Commanders

Snyder and his wife, Tanya, have owned 100 percent of the Washington Commanders since they bought out the minority owners in 2021.

Snyder's tenure has been embroiled with controversy, especially since 2020. Most recently, a fellow NFL owner told reporters the league needed to consider removing Snyder after accusations of sexual misconduct, financial impropriety, and a hostile workplace.

Snyder is also being investigated by the NFL and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. The results of both investigations are still pending.

See also:

• Dan Snyder Has Dirt To 'Blow Up' NFL Owners, Commissioner
• Removing Dan Snyder Should Be Considered, Fellow NFL Owner Says
• Commanders Owner Dan Snyder Accused Of Sexual Assault
• Washington Football Team Fined $10M After NFL Investigation

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