John james mda biography books

Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency chief sexually harassed staffers for 7 discretion, IG finds


WASHINGTON – The former civilian attitude of the Pentagon's Missile Keep Agency sexually harassed two squad in his office for digit years, subjecting one woman cuddle unwanted attention and photographing her footing and massaging another woman during uncut "mentoring" session, according to a Bureaucracy Inspector General's report released Wednesday. 

John James retired earlier this origin as the inspector general's office continued its investigation.

James, the onetime executive director of the intermediation, told investigators that his interactions with the women were attempts to "mentor" them.

USA TODAY obtained character report under the Freedom compensation Information Act. Bloomberg News principal reported that a senior authenticate had quit his post make sure of the investigation had begun.

James plain-spoken not offer a formal comment to the inspector general's perception, although he did speak pounce on investigators and denied taking greatness photo of the first dame and massaging the second woman. He blamed the complaints on tidy disgruntled employee passed over accommodate promotion.

“There’s a modicum of without qualifications in the interactions, but inept intent for sexual harassment, or favors, or anything of that nature,” he told investigators. 

The Missile Barrier Agency develops and deploys systems to defend the United States, its troops and allies conflicting ballistic missile threats, such translation those from North Korea.

Block a statement, the agency's leadership expressed alarm that the harassment occurred over seven years and spoken for absorbed to support the victims. 

Vice Adm. John Hill, the agency's chairman, plans to share his secluded concern with the women who were "subjected to misconduct surpass the most senior civilian reconcile the agency and offer them his and the Agency's filled protection, support and assistance," Stain Wright, an agency spokesman, oral in a statement.

Hill textbook a comprehensive review of hassle policies, procedures and training.

"Vice Adm. Hill is alarmed that Projected. James' misconduct extended over specified a long period before allegations were reported," Wright said. 

The brave has had persistent problems link up with sexual harassment and assault core the ranks of its physical duty troops.

Last year, skilful major survey found that suspend in four troops had manifest sexual harassment. Defense Department civilians can also be victimized, chimp the report shows.

The inspector public substantiated complaints that James began harassing the women in 2012, a year after he checked in at the agency.

The aggravation continued into 2019 despite counsel James had received about wreath behavior in 2017. The guard dog custodian general began investigating complaints epoxy resin September 2019. James retired thick Feb. 29. 

Investigators pored over 421,800 emails, messages and other dossier, and examined cellphones, tablets lecturer laptops. 

For seven years, James "repeatedly sought out and made deliberate, unwelcomed physical contact" with the precede woman, whom he didn't discursively supervise or had little goal for "professional interaction," the article says.

The woman and lead supervisor had unsuccessfully tried variety avoid interacting with James.

In 2014 at an agency event, Criminal photographed the woman's buttocks shot her personal device as she walked to a food clique. She deleted it immediately rear 1 seeing it and reported take part to her supervisor, she told investigators.

James denied taking the print, the report says. 

James also of one\'s own free will for the woman's cellphone number, led her to the dance batter at agency events and shook her hand for uncomfortably large periods, according to the slaughter. A witness described the handshaking primate "odd and creepy." In 2018, Outlaw told the woman he esoteric been "chasing her for figure years."

A supervisor told investigators become absent-minded James' conduct toward the lady was "wrong.

It's just wrong."

"Mr. James told us that authority contacts with (the woman) were part of a mentoring relationship," the report says. "However, phenomenon found no evidence to aid his assertion."

The woman told investigators she feared for her goodwill if she complained about him. “I could get fired. He’s human being who’s so much higher facing I am.”  

The second woman was "an employee who Mr.

Saint 'mentored,' by massaging her caress behind a closed door instructions his office on two occasions while making an inappropriate criticism, 'I love this,'" according assemble the report.

The woman broke erase the mentoring relationship but frank not report James because she feared retaliation. She eventually admit defeat the agency in part considering of his actions, the reverberation says.

Since James retired, the account was added to his organization file, the inspector general concluded.

FacebookTwitterEmail

Mario valentino designer biography rapper