The U.S. Army denied charges by the Pentagon on Tuesday that allege it unfairly granted the retirement request of a general who is currently under investigation for having an affair with a subordinate’s wife.What many are now questioning is if Maj. Gen. David Hale, a former NATO commander, was treated differently as a senior white male than other enlisted personnel, women and minorities, who have ever been accused of adultery.
According to a recent Pentagon report Hale was guilty of “conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentlemen” when he engaged in “improper relationships” with the spouses of three other officers. In addition, Hale is accused of misappropriating government funds for the women’s’ air travel, and lying to the Defense Department concerning his marital status. Several politicians have become vocal in the double-standard request granted Hale. According to Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Pentagon policy strictly prohibits an officer from retiring when he is under investigation. “Hale was a powerful man who, is seems, thought he could get away with anything. Well, it looks like he just might,” she commented on Monday.
