Accused Marine to face board of inquiry
Women say major made crude sexual advances
WASHINGTON – The Marine Corps determined that an officer must fight to keep his job after sexual harassment allegations mushroomed into a scandal that prompted the firing of a general.
Two civilian women accused Maj. David Cheek of making blatant sexual overtures to them at their office at the Corps’ base at Quantico, Virginia. Their allegations, reported by USA TODAY in February, prompted Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller to order a new investigation of their case and ultimately cost Brig. Gen. Kurt Stein his job after he labeled their claims “fake news.”
Cheek will face officers on a board of inquiry, whom he must convince to allow him to continue serving in the Marine Corps.
“The purpose of this board of inquiry is to provide a fair and impartial hearing for this officer to show (his) case for retention on active duty,” said Maj. Craig Thomas, a Marine spokesman.
Sherry Yetter and Traci Sharpe, civilian employees of the Marines, maintained in documents and interviews that Cheek arranged to meet with them privately and on five occasions showed them he had an erection through his clothing. The incidents allegedly occurred several years ago. The women said they didn’t file complaints immediately because they feared retaliation.
Cheek denied the allegations. His lawyer, Brian Magee, said Cheek looks forward to proving himself innocent and ending the matter.
“Maj. Cheek has endured at least four investigations over the last five years into the allegations made by Ms. Sharpe and Ms. Yetter, each investigation independent from the last and each reaching the same conclusion,” Magee said. “This board of inquiry will mark the first time we may have the opportunity to question these women under oath and subject to perjury. We look forward to clearing his name.”
The board could discharge Cheek and retire him at a reduced rank, Thomas said.
Troops retire at the rank at which they last served satisfactorily.
That Cheek has been allowed to con- tinue serving and was selected to be promoted and slated for a command rankles Scott Jensen, a retired Marine colonel who was in charge of sexual assault prevention programs. Yetter and Sharpe felt isolated and retaliated against for registering complaints, he said.
Last year, the Marines dismissed Yetter’s complaint after an investigation found her claims to be unsubstantiated.
“This is an all-too-common occurrence and yet another example of how the system needs to change so that victims are believed and offenders are held accountable, regardless of their rank, relationships or perceived reputation,” said Jensen, who is chief executive officer for Protect Our Defenders, an advocacy group for victims of sexual assault in the military.