Carter sacks senior military aide over 'misconduct'
US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter says he has removed one of his senior military assistants over allegations of misconduct.
"Today I made the decision to remove my Senior Military Assistant Lieutenant General Ron Lewis from his position after learning about allegations of misconduct," Carter said Thursday, refusing to elaborate more on the allegations.
"I expect the highest possible standards of conduct from the men and women in this department, particularly from those serving in the most senior positions," he added. "There is no exception."
Carter noted that the Pentagon’s Office of the Inspector General is assigned with investigating the matter.
"I have confidence in the inspector general's ability to determine the facts. The Department of the Army will then take action as appropriate," he said.
According to an unnamed military official cited by Fox News, the discharged General was involved in an "improper relationship."
Lewis, a three-star general, has served as Carter's top military aide in the past, during Carter’s tenure as the deputy defense secretary from 2011 to 2013.
Lewis subsequently served as the Army's chief spokesman before returning to work with Carter after he became defense secretary earlier this year. He was seen as a rising star within the Pentagon.
His desk was adjacent to Carter's office in the Pentagon's E-ring, according to Military Times, and the general routinely accompanied the defense secretary in his foreign trips.
Lewis' job was to advise Carter on a range of issues related to policy, strategy and budgets.
Carter’s selection of Lewis was one of the first personnel decisions the new secretary made when he took office. The Pentagon chief had praised Lewis in an October 14 speech at the Association of the US Army annual meeting.
"It’s my privilege, also, to work closely with some of the terrific soldiers, and I want to take a moment to recognize some of them who are right around me every day, starting with my senior military assistant, Lt. Gen. Ron Lewis," Carter said."Time after time, whenever I’ve needed Ron’s counsel and vision, I’ve been able to count on him. Thanks, my friend."
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