ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 4, 1997 TAG: 9702040101
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: The Washington Post
A 22-year Army veteran who recently retired has accused the Army's senior enlisted man of having sexually assaulted and harassed her when she worked for him as a public affairs officer, Army officials said Monday.
Sgt. Maj. Brenda Hoster sent a sworn statement to the Criminal Investigative Division Command Monday, alleging she had been mistreated by Sergeant Major of the Army Gene C. McKinney, a 29-year veteran and Legion of Merit holder.
The Army released a statement on McKinney's behalf that said he ``denies he ever engaged in any form of sexual misconduct or improper treatment with the retired sergeant major who made the allegations.'' At the same time, McKinney asked to be excused from his duties on a military-civilian panel set up late last year to look into the Army's handling of sexual harassment.
Her accusation comes at a sensitive time for the Army, which is trying to get a handle on the large number of sexual misconduct complaints that flooded an Army hot line set up in November after it was disclosed that three drill instructors at the Aberdeen Proving Ground had been charged with sexual assault, one with multiple rapes. Since then, three other trainers there also have been charged with various sexual crimes.
Today the Army's top brass, followed by the chiefs of the other military services, are to march to Capitol Hill to give the Senate Armed Service Committee a status report on efforts to wipe out sexual harassment and on the scope of the criminal investigations.
``This is very serious,'' said one Army official. ``And no matter what the truth, tomorrow [Tuesday] will be a sad day for the Army.''
At least 155 new criminal cases have been opened as a result of tips and accusations made to the hot line. Hoster's affidavit will be treated in a similar manner, Army officials said Monday. ``The Army will follow normal investigative procedures to pursue all leads in a thorough and timely manner, following the rules designed to protect the victim and the accused,'' the statement said.
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