- Marc Marquez quickest in Australian MotoGP practice
- 'Like Texas': Spain's arid south draws Western film shoots
- With record production, Moldova plum farmers hail EU integration
- Nigerians sacrifice cars as cost of living crisis worsens
- Liverpool face Chelsea title test, Ten Hag fights to avoid sack
- Asian markets swing as China economic growth slows
- Pogba's shadow looms over Juve as revitalised Lazio come to town
- 'Unbelievable' Raphinha leading Barca into tricky triple-header
- In-form Marmoush and Frankfurt hope to tackle history at wounded Leverkusen
- Britain's Lammy in China to 'challenge' Beijing on Russia support
- Manila's car counters help address 'world's worst traffic'
- British racing attendances falling behind, says Qatar Racing's manager
- Rain forces cancellation of opening practice for Australian MotoGP
- Dupont 'beyond surprise' for Toulouse's Kinghorn
- Drought forces Big Tech to rethink thirsty LatAm data centers
- Countries under pressure to fork out for nature at UN conference
- Biden, allies in Berlin to renew Gaza truce call after Hamas leader killed
- Guardians rally to fry Yankees in 10 innings in MLB playoff thriller
- World Bank president focused on job creation ahead of annual meetings
- World Bank chief says lender's climate goals likely safe under Trump
- Japan's core inflation rate slows in September
- King Charles set to arrive in Australia for landmark tour
- Nadal defeated by 'animal' Alcaraz in Saudi Arabia as career nears end
- US charges Indian agent over alleged plot to kill Sikh separatist
- Musk stumps for Trump in key US swing state
- TikTok, Facebook approve ads with US election disinformation, study says
- Purdy and 49ers face Chiefs in Super Bowl rematch
- Kenya deputy president ousted in historic impeachment
- One Direction members 'devastated' by Liam Payne's death
- Norris shrugs off Red Bull 'trick' of the trade at US Grand Prix
- Chelsea, Lyon ease to wins in Women's Champions League
- China expected to post slowing growth as economic woes drag
- Yamasaki brings keirin world title home as Japan takes two track golds
- Netflix adds millions of subscribers but growth slows
- 'Deeply misguided' to wall US off with tariffs: Yellen
- Biden farewell visit to Berlin focused on Ukraine, Mideast wars
- Sinwar killing a blow to Hamas but impact on war uncertain
- Mitzi Gaynor, star of 'South Pacific,' dies aged 93
- Trump says Zelensky 'should never have let' Ukraine war start
- Hayes turns focus to US women's World Cup goal
- Zelensky seeks EU, NATO backing for 'victory plan'
- Bosch stuns Australia as South Africa reach Women's T20 World Cup final
- What we know about One Direction star Liam Payne's death
- Nicotine pouches rise in popularity as US youth tobacco use hits 25-year-low
- Mendis clinches Sri Lanka series win over West Indies
- Israel says killed Hamas chief Sinwar in Gaza
- Panel urges Secret Service shake-up after Trump assassination bid
- Trump, Harris back on friendly ground after tough interrogations
- Pressure on Ten Hag is 'too much': Brentford boss Frank
- Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar: Israel's most wanted man
SCS | 0.53% | 13.21 | $ | |
NGG | -1.41% | 67.19 | $ | |
BCE | 0.03% | 33.49 | $ | |
CMSD | -0.52% | 25.02 | $ | |
CMSC | -0.52% | 24.79 | $ | |
GSK | -0.64% | 38.96 | $ | |
BCC | -3.38% | 142.2 | $ | |
RIO | -1.32% | 65.09 | $ | |
JRI | -0.15% | 13.15 | $ | |
RBGPF | 0.69% | 60.92 | $ | |
BTI | -1.22% | 35.37 | $ | |
RYCEF | 0.68% | 7.4 | $ | |
VOD | -1.23% | 9.73 | $ | |
RELX | 0.91% | 48.59 | $ | |
AZN | -0.37% | 78.02 | $ | |
BP | 1.25% | 31.32 | $ |
Washington NFL owner accused of harassment at hearing
A former Washington Commanders employee told a US Congressional panel hearing evidence of workplace malpractice at the NFL franchise on Thursday that she was sexually harassed by team owner Dan Snyder.
Tiffani Johnston, a former cheerleader and marketing executive with the NFL team, said Snyder had touched her thigh under the table during a team dinner before later "aggressively" trying to steer her into his limosuine.
The allegation -- the first of its kind against Snyder -- was made as Johnston spoke at a roundtable organized by the House Oversight Committee to address workplace misconduct and sexual harassment at Washington's NFL franchise.
The Washington Football Team -- renamed the Commanders on Wednesday -- were fined $10 million by the NFL last year after an investigation found evidence of sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation.
The allegations centred around several managers and executives who have since left the franchise, but Snyder had not been accused of inappropriate behavior before.
Johnston told lawmakers on Thursday how she had been forced to rebuff Snyder's advances during a team dinner, where she had been seated next to the multi-billionaire owner.
"I learned that placing me strategically by the owner at a work dinner after this networking event was not for me to discuss business, but to allow him, Dan Snyder, to place his hand on my thigh under the table," Johnston said.
"I also learned later that evening how to awkwardly laugh when Dan Snyder pushed me aggressively towards his limo with his hand on my lower back, encouraging me to ride with him to my car.
"I learned how to say no even though the situation was getting more awkward, uncomfortable and physical."
She said Snyder only desisted after his attorney intervened, warning him it would be a "very bad idea."
- 'Outright lies' -
In a statement quoted by several US media outlets on Thursday, Snyder apologized for the workplace culture at his team but strongly rejected allegations of personal wrongdoing.
"I apologize again today for this conduct, and fully support the people who have been victimized and have come forward to tell their stories," Snyder said.
"While past conduct at the team was unacceptable, the allegations leveled against me personally in today's roundtable -- many of which are well over 13 years old -- are outright lies.
"I unequivocally deny having participated in any such conduct, at any time and with respect to any person."
In separate testimony in Thursday's hearing, Melanie Coburn, the team's former marketing director, recalled an incident during a staff trip to Snyder's home in Aspen, Colorado.
She said that after returning to Snyder's house following an evening function, she was told to go to her room in the basement and remain there.
"I later learned from a colleague, who was there, that it was because the men had invited prostitutes back," Coburn told the hearing.
She described the workplace culture at the team's headquarters as "deplorable, like a frat party run by a billionaire who knew no boundaries."
The oversight committee chair, Carolyn Maloney, meanwhile accused National Football League chiefs of covering up for Washington and Snyder by failing to publicly release the report into wrongdoing at the franchise last year.
"After 20 years of sexual harassment and abuse at the Washington Football Team, the team and the league have tried to sweep all of this under the rug," Maloney said in her opening statement.
"After an investigation by a respected lawyer found rampant and serious abuses at the Washington Football Team, the NFL covered it up.
"In a break from recent precedent, the league refused to release a written report and let Mr. Snyder off with a fine and a slap on the wrist."
L.Henrique--PC