WASHINGTON (AP) – A Pentagon investigation has concluded that Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s former senior military aide used his government credit card at strip clubs or gentlemen’s clubs in Rome and Seoul, drank in excess and had “improper interactions” with women, The Associated Press has learned.
The report by the Defense Department’s inspector general says Maj. Gen. Ron Lewis improperly used his credit card, lied to a bank to get charges removed and, more broadly, said he was guilty of conduct unbecoming an officer, according to people familiar with the report.
Lewis, who was fired nearly a year ago by Carter, submitted a written rebuttal slamming the IG investigation. He asserted that it had built an inaccurate and inflammatory case on innuendo and failed to “find the truth.” In the rebuttal, which was obtained by the AP, Lewis denies that the bar in Rome was a strip club and also denies he went to a strip or gentleman’s club in Seoul, South Korea, in an area of the city the IG report calls “Hooker Hill.”
The IG report has been completed, but has not yet been made public. It is expected to be released Thursday.
Army spokesman Col. Pat Seiber issued a statement saying, “The Army only recently received the DoD IG investigation regarding Maj. Gen. Lewis, and is currently evaluating the investigation to determine what administrative or disciplinary actions may be appropriate. The Army takes allegations of misconduct seriously and demands all senior leaders, regardless of rank, uphold the highest standards of moral character and competence.”