Richard Craig Smith, the attorney leading the NFLPA investigation into the Ray Rice domestic violence case, told the Associated Press that the NFL and the Baltimore Ravens are not cooperating with investigators.
Smith said Friday the NFL and the Ravens have not provided requested documents and witnesses that pertain to the ongoing investigation. This comes as no surprise, especially since the NFL and the Ravens aren't under legal obligation to abide by any requests put forth by the NFLPA because the investigation isn't a law enforcement inquiry.
"If the NFL is genuinely concerned about fixing the issues that led to an admitted mistake, then they should be honest and forthright about what they knew and when they knew it," Smith told the AP. "We want both our team and Bob Mueller's team each to be able to conduct a thorough review of all the relevant facts."
The players' union launched an investigation similar to the ongoing one led by former CIA Director Robert Mueller III. The NFLPA hired Smith a month ago to lead theirs, but it seems they're doing so with much less success, although there hasn't been any news from the Mueller-led independent investigation. The NFL did say they would be turning over all pertinent documents for Mueller's investigation. Smith said an NFL spokesman would not comment immediately when contacted and a spokesman for the Ravens didn't return a phone message on Friday.
These comments from Smith are significant because he has quite an extensive resume. A former federal prosecutor, Smith also represented the NFLPA during the New Orleans Saints bounty scandal that resulted in suspensions of coaches and players. Smith worked to get suspensions lifted for four players, including Saints' linebacker Jonathan Vilma, linebacker Scott Fujita, defensive end Will Smith and defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove.
It looks like Smith hopes to take down Goodell once again, but this time it might be more difficult since the NFL does not have to comply with any of the NFLPA's requests.
