THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, January 22, 1996 TAG: 9601220046
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY AMANDA COVARRUBIAS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: SAN DIEGO LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Sailors aboard a commercial airline flight that originated in Norfolk on which a Navy cook allegedly groped and harassed an enlisted woman have been cleared of any wrongdoing, a Navy official said Sunday.
The cook, however, still faces court-martial.
Vice Adm. David B. Robinson, commander of the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, decided that no disciplinary action would be taken after reviewing statements from the 20 or so other sailors on the flight, said Lt. Cmdr. Bruce Cole, a Navy spokesman.
Last month, investigators recommended nine charges against the cook, Chief Petty Officer George Powell, who will be tried in a special court-martial scheduled for Feb. 26.
The charges include four counts of indecent assault, two counts of simple assault and one count each of drunk and disorderly conduct, showing disrespect for a commissioned officer and failure to obey a lawful order.
Officials have said Powell, 49, was drunk on the Oct. 27 American Airlines flight from Norfolk to California during which he allegedly groped the woman, a 23-year-old 3rd class petty officer, who was sitting next to him.
The female sailor has said she moved, but even then he would not leave her alone, she said. Once, when she fell asleep, she awoke to find his hands on her breasts, crotch and legs.
She said both military and civilian passengers offered to help, but she said she could handle Powell.
The senior Navy person aboard the flight was a chaplain who, when he learned of the behavior, intervened by sitting between the two.
KEYWORDS: US NAVY SEXUAL HARASSMENT by CNB