Navy aide retained amid warnings
Admiral waited before firing spokesman accused of misconduct
A Navy commander accused of sexual misconduct while dressed as Santa Claus at a boozy party inside the Pentagon was allowed to stay on as spokesman for the Navy’s top admiral despite written warnings that the commander was a sexual predator, USA TODAY has learned.
Cmdr. Chris Servello, 41, was accused by fellow officers and a civilian of making unwanted sexual passes and slapping a woman on the buttocks while dressed as Santa at the 2016 office Christmas party for Navy public affairs officials, documents obtained by USA TODAY show.
Servello was not reassigned as spokesman for Adm. John Richardson, the Chief of Naval Operations, until mid- August, weeks after USA TODAY sought documents on the incidents and the investigation. Capt. Peter Hudson, who completed his initial inquiry Dec. 21, made plain that Servello should be shipped out.
“I recommend that CDR Servello be immediately reassigned to a billet with no supervisory responsibilities and with dedicated oversight,” Hudson wrote.
Servello, in a statement to USA TODAY, said that naval investigators did not recommend that criminal charges be issued against him.
“I have cooperated fully with all investigations conducted by the Navy,” Servello said. “Ultimately, the allegations were unproven and charges were not filed. I should have never put myself into a situation where my judgment or my military bearing could be called into question. I deeply regret this and have been held to account for my decision making. Indeed, the overall effect of the administrative counseling makes it highly unlikely that my career will recover.”
Hudson’s report was sent to Vice Adm. James Foggo, director of the Navy Staff, and a full- blown Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigation in the matter was completed in the spring.
Richardson said in a statement that he waited until the legal process played out to protect Servello and his alleged victims. Then, he fired Servello.
“I followed the prosecutor’s recommendations to the letter, imposing several adverse measures including dismissing Cdr. Servello from the staff and reassigning him to a non- supervisory position,” Richardson said. “I was advised by legal counsel throughout, and due process was strictly followed to safeguard both the dignity and safety of the complainants and the rights of Cdr. Servello.”
As spokesman for the Chief of Naval Operations, Servello was viewed as a star in his field.
The case also highlights the ongoing struggle the military has had in policing sexual harassment and misconduct among the ranks, especially by the military’s most senior officers. In March, Richardson authored a message to commanders across the Navy to be on the lookout to stamp out sexual harassment and assault.
“Make it clear that individuals who can’t live up to our professional standards in competence and character are not welcome in our Navy,” Richardson wrote.
The failure of the Navy and Richardson to act on the initial findings of inves- tigators drew the ire of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D- N. Y., and a member of the Armed Services Committee. Gillibrand, who has advocated for changes to the way military justice system handles sexual assault, called for an independent investigation of Richardson’s actions by the Pentagon Inspector General.
“This is an example of a commander who is aware of the allegations, aware of findings of predatory behavior and does nothing,” Gillibrand said. “I certainly think this individual, Servello, should be fired, and he should not be allowed to continue to serve. I do not believe that Adm. Richardson handled this case appropriately. There should be an I. G. investigation to see how he actually made his decisions.”
The office Christmas party Dec. 16 triggered the investigation, and Servello’s reassignment, nine months later. Excessive drinking inside the Navy’s public affairs headquarters led to a series of incidents. The bar was open for six hours, starting at 11 a. m. Parties with alcohol inside the Pentagon require a waiver.
This account of the events is drawn from Hudson’s memo, NCIS reports and sworn statements of witnesses that were obtained by USA TODAY. The Navy has denied USA TODAY’s request under the Freedom of Information Act to expedite the release of reports related to the incident. The Navy on Thursday said it could take 12 weeks until they are released.
Servello told investigators he’d had four drinks, including a shot of Fireball whiskey. He wore a Santa suit because, “I thought it would be fun.”
Not everyone in the office shared his sense of mirth. A senior civilian woman ce told investigators that she wanted them to know how he treated her but did not want the issue pursued further.
“Servello, who was dressed as Santa Claus, slapped her on the buttocks without her consent,” according an NCIS document. She “did not feel she was a sexual assault victim, but felt humiliated and disrespected by ( Servello’s) actions.”
Another woman, an officer junior to Servello, told investigators that he had given her unwelcome, “uncomfortable” hugs in which she had to push him away.
Servello is married.
“This is an example of a commander who is aware of the ... findings of predatory behavior and does nothing.” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D- N. Y.