Harassment claims hit Marines at ‘Crossroads’
Colonel who investigated accusations is also accused
WASHINGTON – A Marine colonel who investigated a sexual harassment claim at a troubled program inside the Corps’ Quantico headquarters was later counseled for allegedly harassing the wife of the unit’s chaplain, referring to her as “eye candy.”
A Marine inspector general’s report in 2015 called out a toxic work environment at the Marine and Family Programs Division at Quantico. The report says the program struggled with complaints of sexual harassment, racial bias and bad management, including a secret settlement reached with one official to get her to quietly leave the base known as the “Crossroads of the Marine Corps.” The Marines have not released the report, but USA TODAY obtained a copy.
Two civilian employees renewed complaints dating to 2013 about an officer they said made overt sexual overtures to them at the base. The women maintained in interviews and documents that the Marine Corps did not take their complaints seriously.
According to the investigation into the troubled Marine and Family Programs Division, which includes the Corps’ sexual assault prevention and response program, Col. Ernest Ackiss
was appointed in 2013 to investigate one of several allegations of sexual harassment against the Marine officer. Ackiss found the complaint about inappropriate texts from the officer failed to “meet the threshold of the definition of sexual harassment.”
‘Eye candy’
Two years later, Ackiss was himself the subject of an investigation into harassment. The division’s chaplain, a Navy lieutenant commander, told the inspector general that his wife was the subject of inappropriate comments. She worked directly for Ackiss.
“The Col. called his spouse ‘eye candy,’ ” according to the report.
Ackiss’ superiors investigated the chaplain’s complaint and “counseled” Ackiss, the report says. Ackiss, who has retired, could not be reached for comment.
The Marine Corps stands by Ackiss’ original investigation, Maj. Garron Garn, a Marine spokesman, said in a statement. “There is no indication the Marine Corps was aware of any allegations of sexual harassment at the time he was appointed to conduct the investigation,” Garn said.
Scott Jensen, who retired in 2016 as the colonel in charge of Marine sexual assault prevention programs, said Ackiss’ behavior amounts to the fox guarding the henhouse and called on the Marines to reopen the investigation into the women’s claims.
“How can someone make a sound judgment on one case and then demonstrate he doesn’t have the judgment to avoid the behavior himself ?” said Jensen, CEO of Protect our Defenders, an advocacy group for military victims of sexual assault. “Justice wasn’t served. If they are truly interested in seeing justice, they would take the time to reinvestigate.”
Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., a member of the Armed Services Committee, questioned Gen. Glenn Walters, assistant commandant of the Marines, on the women’s cases, and he promised to review them.
The complaint Ackiss investigated was one of several claims made by Traci Sharpe and Sherry Yetter. They maintained that the officer, Maj. David Cheek, harassed them, including showing them an erection through his clothing. Cheek denied the allegations, and Marine Corps’ investigations did not substantiate their accusations.
“The Marine Corps does not do a good job of investigating claims,” Sharpe said Wednesday. “It’s an institution that covers for itself.”
Confidential settlement
The inspector general’s report notes that a “persistent chasm” existed between the military and civilian workforce, particularly in the Marine and Family Program Division’s Behavioral Health Branch. The report says the Marines negotiated a confidential settlement with the civilian chief of the branch after an investigation into allegations that she created a hostile work environment.
Citing a previous investigation of the unit, the inspector general’s report says the “style of leadership” of the branch head, Ann Crittenden, allowed for an “unhealthy environment that appears to include discrimination.”
According to the investigation, “multiple staff witnessed Ms. Crittenden’s actions towards staff and perceived her actions as unprofessional, offensive and racially bias (sic).” The report concludes that “Crittenden’s behavior is unprofessional and inappropriate for the civilian workplace.”
The investigation recommended “significant disciplinary action” be taken against her and noted that she had been “proposed for removal.”
Crittenden hired a lawyer and negotiated a settlement with the Marine Corps, according to the report. The settlement included her resignation May 14, 2015, and stipulated that she not work for the Marine Corps for two years.
Less than two years later, Crittenden appeared as the point of contact on the official Marine Corps website for an initiative by its war fighting laboratory. Her email indicates she works for a contractor. She did not respond to a request for comment.
Garn, the Marine spokesman, would not comment on Crittenden’s case.
“The results of personnel actions are not releasable, to include settlement agreements,” Garn said. “In general, the Marine Corps covers the cost of any settlement payments from its own budget.”
Congress should prod the Marines to be more transparent about cash settlements, said Mandy Smithberger, director of the Center for Defense Information at the Project on Government Oversight.