Charges Of Harassment May Have Been Improperly Dismissed
An investigation has been opened
into allegations that the inspector general of the Naval Air Force
Atlantic Fleet mishandled, and eventually improperly dismissed,
complaints that an ensign had been subjected to months of anti-gay
harassment and sexual discrimination.
Ensign Steve Crowston said the harassment began in August of
2009. At that time, fellow officers in Strike Fighter Squadron 136
at Oceana, VA, were picking Crowston's call sign, which can often
be used in official documents and printed on clothing. Among those
suggested: "Gay Boy", Fagmeister", Cowgirl", "Cowboy", and the
eventual pick, "Romo's Bitch".
Crowston, who still has not disclosed his sexual orientation,
said the unit's commanding and executive officers were both in the
room participating in the group voting.
Fox News obtained a copy of Crowston's six-page official
complaint, which was filed in February. It alleged the harassment,
as well as charges of misuse of government funds and property along
with other misconduct on the part of the squadron's commander and
officers. In May, the IG ruled that the sexual harassment
allegations were unsubstantiated, and the case was closed.
But Crowston says IG Beverly Bilger was biased by previous
acquaintance with the commander. He filed two whistle-blower
"reprisal" complaints, alleging that Bilger told him she had once
worked across the hall from the commander. He says Bilger contacted
the commander about the case weeks prior to the opening of the
investigation.
The case was officially re-opened last Thursday. Fox News
reports that the IG's office has decided to re-visit the manner in
which the first investigation was conducted.
But Crowston says he has been the subject of
ongoing anti-gay slurs and continued harassment from both his
commander and other officers. He also says that he received his
worst review in 16 years of service from some of the same officers
he had named in the original complaint, which he sees as a reprisal
for filing the case.
In the wake of the incident, Vice Admiral Tom Kilcline has
cautioned commanding officers to keep call sign suggestions
professional. Crowston has asked for an apology from those who came
up with the offensive suggestions back in 2009. He also requested a
transfer, and was assigned to Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic Squadron
at Oceana, but last week was informed he was being transferred to
Naval Special Warfare Group 2, a Navy Seal team which is scheduled
to be deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan in a few months.