Army general accused of sex harassment retires

For grabbing and kissing the Army's highest-ranking woman, Maj. Gen. Smith gets a written reprimand

©Washington Post

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 8, 2000

WASHINGTON -- The Army said Friday that Maj. Gen. Larry Smith, who was accused of sexually harassing the highest-ranking woman in Army history, will retire Sept. 1 with a reprimand for conduct "unbecoming an officer and a gentleman."

But Smith continued to contest the charge even as the Pentagon pushed him toward the door after 34 years of military service. He said in a written statement that he was "deeply disappointed" with the Army's actions.

The resolution of the Smith case through his retirement was expected. It had been forecast by Pentagon officials last month when they disclosed that Army investigators had substantiated Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy's allegation that Smith kissed her against her will and touched her improperly in a Pentagon office in 1996. At the same time, they said Smith's alleged offense did not warrant more serious punishment than a written reprimand.

Army officials have been eager to put this episode behind them. It marked the first time one general has ever accused another of sexual harassment, and it was the latest in a series of incidents that have raised questions about the Army's ability to police sexual harassment in its ranks and its willingness to punish wrongdoing by its generals.

Friday's statement by the Army marked the first time it has officially acknowledged its investigation or even the existence of Kennedy's allegation against Smith.

Smith has fought Kennedy's charge for more than 10 months but did not explain his position or make any public comment, either directly or indirectly, until Friday.

According to a heavily redacted report by the Army inspector general, he told investigators that he had given Kennedy, a former neighbor in Atlanta, only "a hug and possibly a "cheek kiss."

The inspector general's report, released Friday in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act, says there is still "total disagreement" between the two generals about what happened. But based largely on Kennedy's credibility and statements she made to friends shortly after the 1996 incident, investigators concluded that Smith "grabbed her, held her against her will and kissed her."

In statement released by the Army, Smith said: "I have been a soldier a long time and always will feel deeply honored to serve the Army and the United States. I cherish beyond measure my wonderful family and our totally supportive friends from around the world.

"In regard to this matter, I have always (maintained) and continue to maintain that I did not commit these allegations, and I am deeply disappointed with the decision to substantiate them. However, for the good of my family and the Army, we have elected to put it behind us and move on with our lives. I will have nothing further to say."

Neither Smith nor his lawyer returned calls seeking additional comment.

Smith had been chosen by the Army almost a year ago to become its deputy inspector general, a position in which he might have dealt with allegations of sexual harassment and other improprieties by senior officers.

Kennedy, then the Army's intelligence chief, quietly protested the selection two months after it was made, telling Army officials for the first time about Smith's unwanted approach three years earlier. Smith's move to the inspector general's office was put on hold as a result.

After Kennedy's allegation leaked to the press, the Army in May quietly withdrew Smith from consideration by naming another general to the position.

Since June, when the Army formally substantiated the allegation, top Army officials have been considering Smith's response.

In a statement also released by the Army on Friday, Kennedy, who herself is retiring and already has stepped down as deputy chief of staff for intelligence, said: "I am satisfied with the Army's action in this case. As far as I am concerned, this matter is closed."

Kennedy plans to write a book about her 31 years in the military.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.