Air Force general at center of sexual assault controversy to retire

Stars & Stripes reprots:

The Air Force general whose decision last year to dismiss a sexual assault conviction led Congress to significantly curb commander authority in the military justice system, announced Wednesday that he is retiring so as not to be a further “distraction” for the Air Force.

“In the last 10 months as the Commander of Third Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Force, my judgment has been questioned publicly regarding my decisions as a general court martial convening authority,” Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin said in a statement. “This is a distraction for the Air Force and for my role as a general court martial convening authority.”

The announcement came three weeks after Stars and Stripes reported that Air Force officials had taken the unusual step of removing a sexual assault case at Aviano Air Base from Franklin’s purview.

Read the full article.