Commanders to pay $1.3M to settle Va. season-ticket deposit probe - ESPN

The Washington Commanders have agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle a Virginia state investigation into their handling of season-ticket deposit funds. The probe began in 2021 and focused on whether the team was using the deposits to operate its business instead of holding them in a trust account as required by Virginia law. The settlement does not include any admission of wrongdoing by the Commanders, but it marks a major development in the team's ongoing legal and financial troubles. The investigation was initiated after a number of fans complained that they had trouble getting their deposits back after they canceled their season tickets. The probe found that the Commanders had used the deposit money to pay for various expenses, including operating costs and team payroll. Under the terms of the settlement, the Commanders will pay a $1.3 million civil penalty and agree to follow Virginia law regarding the handling of season-ticket deposit funds in the future. The team will also be required to hire an independent auditor to monitor its compliance with the law. This settlement is just the latest in a series of legal and financial headaches for the Commanders. In recent years, the team has been embroiled in a number of controversies, including allegations of workplace misconduct, financial irregularities, and a lawsuit by former employees who alleged they were sexually harassed. The team is also facing a potential relocation to Maryland, with local officials in the state having made a bid to lure the Commanders to a new stadium in Prince George's County. This settlement is likely to further complicate the team's efforts to resolve its ongoing legal and financial challenges.

Summary

"The Washington Commanders have agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle a Virginia state investigation into their handling of season-ticket deposit funds. This settlement does not include an admission of wrongdoing but is the latest in a series of legal and financial challenges for the team."