Navy Official 'Inadvertently' Emailed Internal Document To The Washington Post

Details are emerging concerning the investigation of Capt. Gregory McWherter, the former commander of the Blue Angels jet demonstration team. Though no longer with the Blues, McWherter was recently relieved of his position as the Executive Officer (XO) of Naval Base Coronado.

But the investigation apparently does have to do with his time with the team. A document that was "inadvertently" emailed to a Washington Post editor by a Navy official says that a former member of the jet team has accused McWherter of tolerating sexual harassment and promoting a "hostile work environment." The Post reports that the complainant said that there was often sexually explicit speech, openly-displayed pornography, and jokes involving sexual orientation.

The five-page internal document was labeled "Official Use Only" and appears to be in part talking points prepared in anticipation of media coverage of the investigation.

The Navy's actions have led to the creation of a "Support Boss Greg McWherter" Facebook page, which so far has received 3,826 "Likes". Commenters on the page say they are suspicious of the "accidental" release of the talking points to the media, saying it looks like it was intentionally done for damage control.

The page also contains a comment from Capt. McWherter's wife Kim. "To everyone supporting my husband and my family, I cannot thank you enough!" she writes. "In light of the latest newspaper articles (good old PNJ [Pensacola News Journal, ed.] and Washington Post) it seems the writing is on the wall and my husband will be the sacrificial lamb in all of this!

"If you have had any interaction with CAPT Greg McWherter, even for a brief second, you know how wrong all of these accusations and reports are. I know there are risks involved when you take on any position of leadership but even this has gone beyond my wildest dreams!

"I ask for your continued support and prayers for our family as the "investigation" (AKA dog and pony show) continues!”

(U.S. Navy Image)

FMI: Facebook Page