***STATEMENT*** Protect Our Defenders Responds to Army Recommendation That Disgraced General Keep Security Clearance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2017
***STATEMENT***
PROTECT OUR DEFENDERS RESPONDS TO ARMY RECOMMENDATION THAT DISGRACED GENERAL KEEP SECURITY CLEARANCE EVEN AFTER HE SEXUAL HARASSED SERVICEMEMBERS
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, the USA Today revealed that the U.S. Army is recommending that Brigadier General Ron Lewis be allowed to keep his security clearance, even after he was accused of sexual harassment by multiple female servicemembers and was caught spending nearly $3,000 on his government-issued credit card at a strip club. A report from the Defense Department’s inspector general found that Lewis improperly used his Pentagon credit card, lied to a bank to get the charges removed and was found guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer.
Col. Don Christensen (ret.), the former Chief Prosecutor of the United State Air Force and President of Protect Our Defenders, released the following statement:
“When a general officer lies, sexually harasses subordinates, uses subordinates to facilitate a theft and misuses a government travel card and is not court-martialed, it sends a strong message to our troops that leadership does not view these crimes as serious. Messages such as this directly lead to the culture issues the military faces today.
“Without a doubt, misconduct committed by senior officers has a far greater negative impact on good order and discipline than similar crimes committed by lower ranking service members. However, the military consistently gives senior officers a slap on a wrist for conduct that strikes at the heart of military culture. Sadly, this case serves as another example in a long string of the military’s failure to hold yet another general truly accountable for serious crimes.”
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Task & Purpose: General Fired For Partying At Strip Clubs On DoD’s Dime Keeps His Clearance
http://taskandpurpose.com/general-fired-partying-strip-clubs-dods-dime-keeps-clearance
USA Today: Army says general’s drunken escapades shouldn’t affect his secret clearance
New York Post: Army wants boozy ex-military aide to keep security clearance
http://nypost.com/2017/03/21/army-wants-boozy-ex-military-aide-to-keep-security-clearance
About Protect Our Defenders: Protect Our Defenders (POD) is a human rights organization. We are the only national organization solely dedicated to addressing the epidemic of rape and sexual assault in the military and to combating a culture of pervasive sexual harassment and retribution against victims. We honor, support and give voice to survivors of military sexual assault – including both service members and civilians assaulted by members of the military. We seek reform to ensure all survivors have access to a fair, impartially administered system of justice. Learn more about Protect Our Defenders at www.protectourdefenders.com or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/ProtectOurDefenders or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ProtectRDfnders.
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