Attorneys General Threaten Investigation into NFL’s Treatment


Attorneys general for six states, including New York, told the NFL they had “serious concerns” over allegations of workplace harassment of women and minorities and warned the league that it could face broad investigation if it didn’t take steps to address the issues.

Chief legal officers sent a letter to Commissioner Roger Goodell late Tuesday outlining their concerns arising from February. The New York Times report More than 30 ex-employees described living in a demoralizing culture.

The allegations included female staff members who said they were forced to watch a video that showed the running Ray Rice unconsciously beating his then-fiancée; being asked to publicly disclose whether they have been victims of domestic violence; and marginalized or fired if they question the NFL’s handling of sexual harassment issues.

“All this is completely unacceptable and potentially illegal,” the Attorney General wrote in a letter received by The Times, adding that they “will use the full weight of our authority to investigate and prosecute allegations of harassment, discrimination or harassment.” Retaliation by employers in our states, including the National Football League. The league’s headquarters are in Manhattan, and New York Attorney General Letitia James was among the signatories.

The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

James and other attorneys general planned to ask victims and witnesses of discrimination in the NFL to file complaints with his office. Often, civil investigations into workplaces are opened after employees or former employees have filed a complaint directly with the attorney general. Joining New York were Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington State.

The letter from the attorney general comes as the NFL is facing a Congressional investigation into the workplace treatment of female employees in the Washington franchise and a discrimination lawsuit by Brian Flores, an Afro Latino man and former Miami Dolphins head coach. The league broke its rules that required teams to interview a wide variety of candidates for coaching and general manager positions.

Flores was fired by the Miami Dolphins at the end of the 2021 season and was hired by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an assistant defensive coach without any head coaching offers. A preliminary hearing conference for the Federal case is scheduled for April 29.

Several teams have loudly denied Flores’ allegations, with the NFL saying it is “deeply committed to ensuring fair employment practices” and that we will “defend against these allegations that are unjustified.”

A The congressional committee is also investigating the NFL’s handling of widespread sexual harassment allegations. In the Washington Commanders’ front office. This committee requested tens of thousands of documents from the league and held a hearing in February where former employees talked about their experience working for the team and presented new harassment allegations against Commanders owner Daniel Snyder.

Snyder denied the allegations, and the NFL launched an investigation into the newly emerged sexual harassment allegations. The league in 2021 completed its one-year investigation into original reports of harassment within the Commanders organization. $10 million penalty to the team but refuses to make all of its findings public.

Last week, Goodell said the league did not have “a time frame” to conclude its investigation into whether Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson violated his personal conduct policy. Accused of sexual harassment by 22 women in 2020, allegations Watson denies. in March, grand juries two Texas states a total of 10 criminal cases dismissed against him.

The threat to investigate workplace conditions at the NFL’s headquarters is the latest attempt by Democrat James, who became the first Black woman elected New York attorney general in 2018, to confront companies and employers accused of sexual harassment or harassment.

Their investigations have ranged from high-profile investigations into New York City’s restaurant industry to less visible cases such as an investigation in 2020. Long Island-based construction company found that his office sexually harassed 18 former employees.

His office investigated allegations of sexual harassment at Spotted Pig, a Manhattan restaurant. he is off In January 2020, just weeks after James secured a deal from main owner Ken Friedman. Friedman agreed to pay $240,000 and a share of the profits to 11 former employees who accused him of sexual harassment, retaliation and discrimination.

This investigation, which began under James’ predecessor, also examined the sexual harassment cases of Mario Batali, celebrity chef and former investor of Spotted Pig.

led by James a separate investigation Batali and his former partner, Joe Bastianich, found that their once sprawling restaurant business violated state and city human rights laws. His office secured a $600,000 settlement to at least 20 men and women who said they had been sexually harassed while working at their high-end restaurants, including Babbo, Lupa, and Del Posto.

Recently, James’ office oversaw investigation From inappropriate comments against Andrew M. Cuomo to examples of unwanted touching, allegations of sexual harassment his resignation as governor. His office released a devastating report in August detailing cases where Cuomo harassed multiple women, including current and former government employees, from an executive assistant to a female state police officer.

“I believe in women and I believe in these 11 women,” James said while publishing the report, adding that the state has “an obligation to protect women in the workplace.”

Luis Ferré-Sadurni Contributor reporting from Albany, NY



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