General's sentence in sex case called a 'shock,' 'beyond disappointing' (+video)

[unhappycamper]

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Military/2014/0320/General-s-sentence-in-sex-case-called-a-shock-beyond-disappointing-video

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair received no jail time or demotion in rank despite having a long-standing affair with a captain under his command and inappropriate relationships with three junior soldiers.

General's sentence in sex case called a 'shock,' 'beyond disappointing' (+video)
By Anna Mulrine, Staff writer / March 20, 2014

WASHINGTON

The outcome of a trial that was widely regarded as a litmus test for how the US military handles sexual assault in its ranks has caused an outcry among lawmakers and advocates of victims of sexual assault – as well as many long-serving military officers.

Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Sinclair, accused of sexual assault, on Thursday received what was widely regarded as a light sentence, consisting of a $20,000 fine and an official reprimand.

The general had pleaded guilty to having a long-standing affair with a captain under his command and having inappropriate relationships with three other junior soldiers. Earlier in the week the Army dropped sexual assault charges, citing what the judge (an Army colonel) reportedly believed were questions about unreliability in the victim's testimony and “undue command influence” in moving the charges forward.

~snip~

Although he pleaded guilty to “maltreatment of a subordinate, having inappropriate relationships with and soliciting illicit pictures from junior female officers, possessing pornography, misuse of a credit card and using derogatory language,” Representative Tsongas noted, he did not receive any jail time or reduction in rank as part of the sentence.

[bemildred]

1. I call it "business as usual" when the crime has already been exposed.

Otherwise, it's just ignored and the victim punished for speaking up.

[handmade34]

2. was in the car

listening to the radio when I heard the sentencing... my partner had to listen to me rant for 100 miles down the road... all people (especially women) should be livid!!

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Ugh.

Quelle surprise!

[Downwinder]

4. Have to give our brave warriors total immunity.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

5. Once the sexual assault charge was dropped, prison time was highly unlikely.

The remaining charges, alas, are traditionally viewed as not as serious.

It's been a long time since I did military prosecutions, so I don't know how the conviction will affect other aspects of his career. He will never be promoted, that much is all but certain. He will retire, but it is possible that the conviction will mean he will be administratively reduced in paygrade, leading to a significant loss of pension over his lifespan.

I do not think punitive reduction in rank is allowed for officers. But again, I've been out of this loop for a long time and I am certainly willing to be corrected on that point.

[Angleae]

6. His pension won't be affected by much, if any.

Military pensions are calculated based on the average of the last 36 months of base pay. If he reitres immediatly it won't be affected.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

7. True, but I recall there used to be a provision . . .

. . . to administratively retire someone at a lower paygrade in the event of misconduct. This is not considered a punitive measure.

So although a brigadier general (paygrade O-7), he could be retired as a colonel (O-6), which would be a significant loss, though an O-6 pension is nothing to sneeze at.