Congress’ Committee on Oversight and Reform has launched an investigation into the NFL’s handling of the allegedly toxic workplace culture at the Washington Football Team. House Democrats on the committee are pressing the NFL for all documents, policies, and information related to the league’s investigation of the team, which is facing allegations of sexual harassment and verbal abuse.

Reps. Carolyn Maloney and Raja Krishnamoorthi of the Committee on Oversight and Reform sent NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell a five-page letter laying out the committee’s requests, which include answers to questions about the NFL’s role in overseeing the investigation, a list of employees involved in the probe, and more.

“We have serious concerns about what appears to be widespread abusive workplace conduct at the WFT and about the NFL’s handling of this matter,” the letter reads. “Communications between league management and WFT leadership also raises questions about the leagues asserted impartiality in these investigations.”

The letter comes as the WFT is plagued by scandals — the most recent one involving former team president Bruce Allen, who was included on racist, misogynistic, and homophobic emails from former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden. Some of the emails included photos of half-dressed WFT cheerleaders.

The NFL’s year-long probe included interviews with more than 150 people and the review of 650,000 internal emails, but the league has not released a public report on the investigation. The NFL hired attorney Beth Wilkinson to look into allegations of a toxic workplace culture revealed in a 2020 Washington Post story and a 2009 sexual misconduct allegation from a former female employee against team owner Dan Snyder that ended in a settlement. When the NFL’s investigation concluded in July, the league imposed a $10 million fine against the WFT.

However, the Congress members say they have concerns about the NFL’s lack of transparency. They state that the league’s handling of the case “raises questions about the seriousness with which it has addressed bigotry, racism, sexism, and homophobia — setting troubling precedent for other workplaces.”

The oversight committee members also brought up the recent report that the team offered former employees payment to stay silent.

“It appears that the NFL took no additional action against Mr. Snyder, whom the NFL has recently approved to buy out his minority partners and gain full control of the WFT,” the letter continues.

Snyder’s wife, Tanya, took over day-to-day team operations as co-CEO in July.

In an interview Friday with WUSA9, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, who serves on the oversight committee, said it’s “very likely” that the committee will hold a hearing on the NFL’s findings. “It shows you the importance of what we’ve learned … we’ve announced an investigation even before the hearing itself has been announced,” she said. “And I say that as someone who’s been on this committee for a long time.”

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN via email, “We have received the Chairwoman’s letter and share her concern that all workplaces should be free from any form of harassment and discrimination. We look forward to speaking to her office soon.”

This post has been updated with comment from D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. 

Previously: 

Washington Football Team Again Playing Defense As Multiple Controversies Roil Franchise