Military expels swinger general
A United States Army major general has been stripped of his stars and forced out of the military after a 30-year career because of a long extramarital affair and ‘‘swinger’’ lifestyle.
An army spokesman said David Haight was demoted by three steps to the rank of lieutenant colonel, a steep and rare downgrade for a senior officer.
An army inspector general investigation concluded that Haight had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a woman who was not his wife, and that he misused government resources, including a department cellphone and computer, for a ‘‘high volume’’ of personal calls and emails.
The investigation, which was launched in January, was triggered by anonymous complaints sent to then-General Philip Breedlove, who was the top US general for Nato at the time, and to the Army and Defence Department inspectors general.
According to the report, Haight was verbally counselled at least twice by a senior officer in November 2015 after initial complaints were filed and before the full investigation began. The counselling included assistance for possible marital problems, the perception of a relationship with someone who was not his wife, and other personal issues.
In December, more anonymous allegations of misconduct came in, and one included a sexually explicit photograph. The inspector general ordered a full investigation in January.
The probe revealed that Haight conducted the affair for nearly 11 years, and also at times was involved in a ‘‘swinger’’ lifestyle. He was married during the entire time of the relationship, and has four children.
According to the report, Haight reminded the woman – who was a government contractor – several times to communicate with him through another email address because his government accounts were monitored.
They exchanged more than 800 personal emails between October 2010 and November 2015, including many that were sexually explicit.