THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 14, 1995 TAG: 9510140276
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Military News
SOURCE: BY DALE EISMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
A military judge Friday dismissed two of six sexual harassment charges against Navy Capt. Everett L. Greene, who formerly oversaw the service's efforts to combat sexual harassment.
Marine Col. Ken Jowers did not elaborate on his ruling, which came as the Navy rested its case in the court-martial of Greene. The dismissed charges involved a former Navy lieutenant, Pamela Castrucci, who said a series of cards, letters and personal contacts she had with Greene while and after they worked together at the Bureau of Naval Personnel in 1993 made her feel uncomfortable.
Among the notes was one sent in December 1993, which included passages such as ``Our friendship doesn't give you permission to act as a jerk towards me,'' and ``My calls and cards should attest to the sincerity of my concern for you.''
Lt. Cmdr. William Little, Greene's lawyer, argued Friday that prosecutors had not shown anything improper about those notes, or other communications Greene had with Castrucci and Lt. Mary E. Felix, who also worked for him at the personnel bureau.
Felix counseled callers to a sexual harassment hotline the Navy established in the wake of the Tailhook scandal of 1991. Castrucci, a lawyer, provided legal advice.
The remaining charges against Greene all arise from his contacts with Felix, who has alleged that he made romantic advances toward her. He in turn has alleged that she suggested that they become intimate and that he refused.
The trial, with a jury of five rear admirals and three captains, is the first since World War II of an officer who had been selected for flag rank. Greene was taken off a promotion list for rear admiral in the spring, after Felix made a formal complaint.
Little told reporters he had hoped Jowers would dismiss all the charges and called Friday's decision ``a small victory.'' The charges arising from Greene's contacts with Felix are the heart of the Navy's case against the captain.
Opening the defense case, Little argued that Greene is a caring officer who regularly sent cards, personal notes and small gifts to all his co-workers.
Cmdr. Joyce Z. Randle, a former colleague of both Greene and Felix, described Greene as ``a great boss,'' and argued that the ``love and respect'' he expressed for Felix in one note were akin to that a father would give a daughter.
While Felix alleges that Greene began becoming over familiar after she confided in him about medical and personal problems, Randle testified Friday that Greene's personal touch helped see her through her own medical and emotional crisis.
``Capt. Greene took tremendously good care of me,'' Randle said through tears, describing hours he sat at the hospital with her and her husband as their child clung to life. Greene interceded to make sure she got proper medical care and ``basically held my family's hand,'' she added.
``I saw him do the same for Lt. Felix,'' Randle said. ``He just had a heart, a huge heart.'' ILLUSTRATION: Navy Capt. Everett L. Greene is described by one witness as ``a
great boss,'' that the ``love and respect'' he expressed for a
subordinate in one note were akin to those a father would give a
daughter.
KEYWORDS: SEXUAL HARASSMENT NAVY by CNB