An US Army general who had a three-year affair with a captain and had two other inappropriate relationships with subordinates was reprimanded and docked USD 20,000 in pay today, avoiding jail time in one of the military's most closely watched trials.
Brig Gen Jeffrey A Sinclair was believed to be the highest-ranking US military officer ever court-martialed on sexual assault charges, but earlier this week those charges were dropped when he pleaded guilty to inappropriate relationships.
Sinclair, 51, smiled and hugged his two lawyers in the courtroom.
"The system worked. I've always been proud of my Army," he said afterward. "All I want to do now is go north and hug my kids and my wife."
The case unfolded with the Pentagon under heavy pressure to confront what it has called an epidemic of rape and other sexual misconduct in the ranks.
As part of the plea deal, Sinclair's sentence could not exceed terms in an agreement between defense lawyers and military attorneys that called for Sinclair to serve no more than 18 months in jail, but the judge's punishment was much lighter.
The judge did not explain specifically how he came to the sentence, and prosecutors did not immediately comment. Capt Cassie L Fowler, the military lawyer assigned to represent the accuser's interests, had a grim expression after the sentence was imposed and declined to comment.
Sinclair's fine breaks down to USD 5,000 a month for four months. He earns about USD 12,000 a month, according to testimony earlier in the week.
Retired Lt Col Gary D Solis, who teaches law at West Point and Georgetown University, called the ruling lenient.
"I can't believe it," said Solis, who served 26 years of active duty in the Marine Corps and tried hundreds of cases as a military judge. "I know Judge Pohl to be one of the best judges in the Army judicial system, but ... This is an individual who should not be a general officer. He should have gone to jail and dismissed from the Army."
In closing arguments, prosecutors argued Sinclair should be thrown out of the Army and lose his military benefits, while the defense said that would harm his innocent wife and children the most.
Defense attorney Richard Scheff said Sinclair will retire from the military.
