Academy Sex Assault Cover-Up Allegations Surface Against Former Coast Guard Leader
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An internal investigation into serious claims of rape and sexual assault at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London has surfaced, with suspicions that the previous service director purposefully concealed the probe from Congress and the public.
On Tuesday, CNN reported that former Coast Guard Commandant Karl Schultz, who served from 2018 to 2022, is suspected of willfully concealing the results of the inquiry, known as "Operation Fouled Anchor."
It has been revealed that between 1988 and 2006, the school saw a frightening 62 confirmed cases of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. That inquiry began in 2014 and was almost complete when Schultz took over. It's concerning that so many other accusations went unchecked.
The report said senior Coast Guard officials were very cautious about the investigation's protection, even going so far as to request non-disclosure agreements from anybody who was given access to the case files. This secrecy was so pervasive that legislators were only made aware of the probe in June, long after Schultz had resigned.
Adm. Linda Fagan, Schultz's replacement, testified before a congressional hearing regarding the delay in disclosure. She admitted that the Coast Guard had failed to disclose the severe claims during her presence.
Schultz and his number two, Adm. Charles Ray, came under fire for keeping the investigation's results secret. It was the first time the two leaders had been accused of coordinating a cover-up in such a blatant manner. The arrangements to inform Congress and the Department of Homeland Security (the department that oversees the Coast Guard) were already in place in 2018, according to Adm. Paul Zukunft, Schultz's predecessor.
Zukunft's surprise highlighted a lack of transparency and accountability inside the company as officials had yet to brief Congress or make public their conclusions. Schultz returned to the institution for many important events, including a 2019 graduation ceremony and a change of command function in 2021. He graduated from the Coast Guard institution in 1983 and then obtained a master's degree from the University of Connecticut.
The allegations against Schultz have caused some to question the Coast Guard Academy's and the military's overall approach to sexual assault cases. Legislators and activist organizations have called for more investigation, prosecution, and assistance for victims of sexual assault in the armed forces.
The allegations against Schultz and the claims of a cover-up are expected to have enduring implications for the image of the U.S. Coast Guard and the more extensive armed services as the specifics of the investigation continue to surface.
As the public wants a more open and practical approach to addressing the severity of sexual assault within military institutions, calls for accountability and change are expected to increase.
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