Air Force investigates Pentagon official

[unhappycamper]

Air Force investigates Pentagon official
By Danica Coto - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Oct 25, 2008 17:13:07 EDT

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Air Force is investigating a senior Pentagon official who was reassigned last month amid accusations of misconduct while overseeing the Guantanamo war crimes tribunals, according to a former chief prosecutor.

An investigation against Air Force Brig. Gen. Thomas Hartmann was recently opened after a complaint from a military defense lawyer, Air Force Col. Morris Davis told the Associated Press on Saturday.

Davis said Air Force Brig. Gen. Steven Lepper first called him two weeks ago to interview him about the complaints against Hartmann. The questions focused on Hartmann’s influence on the prosecution of cases, Davis said.

“I’m optimistic that this current round of investigations will lead to something productive,” said Davis, who quit as chief prosecutor in October 2007 after clashing with Hartmann.

Defense lawyers and human rights groups have accused Hartmann, who supervised the prosecution of enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay, of lacking neutrality and pushing for prosecutions that would captivate the public for political gain, even before the detainees were ready to be charged.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/10/ap_airforceinvestigation_102508/%2e