The Dallas Cowboys spent $2.4 million to settle claims of voyeurism made by members of the cheerleading squad against a senior team executive, ESPN reported Wednesday.
The report, based on documents obtained by ESPN and people with knowledge of the situation, said four women each received nearly $400,000 after alleging that Rich Dalrymple, the Cowboys’ longtime senior vice president for public relations and communications, watched them undress.
Dalrymple used a key card to gain entry to the locked dressing room during a 2015 event at AT&T Stadium and was seen “standing behind a partial wall in their locker room with his iPhone extended toward them while they were changing their clothes,” the network reported.
A Cowboys fan also signed an affidavit saying he had witnessed Dalrymple taking “upskirt” photos back in 2015 of Cowboys senior vice president Charlotte Jones Anderson, the daughter of team owner Jerry Jones.
Dalrymple issued a statement denying both allegations.
“People who know me, co-workers, the media and colleagues, know who I am and what I’m about,” he said in his statement. “I understand the very serious nature of these claims and do not take them lightly.
“The accusations are, however, false. One was accidental and the other simply did not happen. Everything that was alleged was thoroughly investigated years ago, and I cooperated fully.”
A Cowboys representative told ESPN that a thorough investigation discovered no wrongdoing by Dalrymple.
“The organization took these allegations extremely seriously and moved immediately to thoroughly investigate this matter,” Cowboys communications consultant Jim Wilkinson said. “The investigation was handled consistent with best legal and HR practices and the investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing.”
The team did reportedly give Dalrymple a formal written warning in October 2015.
“If any wrongdoing had been found, Rich would have been terminated immediately,” Wilkinson said. “Everyone involved felt just terrible about this unfortunate incident.”
Dalrymple announced his retirement earlier this month after 32 years with the team.
–Field Level Media