Charges Of Harassment May Have Been Improperly Dismissed

An investigation has been opened into allegations that the inspector general of the Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet mishandled, and eventually improperly dismissed, complaints that an ensign had been subjected to months of anti-gay harassment and sexual discrimination.

Ensign Steve Crowston said the harassment began in August of 2009. At that time, fellow officers in Strike Fighter Squadron 136 at Oceana, VA, were picking Crowston's call sign, which can often be used in official documents and printed on clothing. Among those suggested: "Gay Boy", Fagmeister", Cowgirl", "Cowboy", and the eventual pick, "Romo's Bitch".

Crowston, who still has not disclosed his sexual orientation, said the unit's commanding and executive officers were both in the room participating in the group voting.

Fox News obtained a copy of Crowston's six-page official complaint, which was filed in February. It alleged the harassment, as well as charges of misuse of government funds and property along with other misconduct on the part of the squadron's commander and officers.  In May, the IG ruled that the sexual harassment allegations were unsubstantiated, and the case was closed.

But Crowston says IG Beverly Bilger was biased by previous acquaintance with the commander. He filed two whistle-blower "reprisal" complaints, alleging that Bilger told him she had once worked across the hall from the commander. He says Bilger contacted the commander about the case weeks prior to the opening of the investigation.

The case was officially re-opened last Thursday. Fox News reports that the IG's office has decided to re-visit the manner in which the first investigation was conducted. 

But Crowston says he has been the subject of ongoing anti-gay slurs and continued harassment from both his commander and other officers. He also says that he received his worst review in 16 years of service from some of the same officers he had named in the original complaint, which he sees as a reprisal for filing the case.

In the wake of the incident, Vice Admiral Tom Kilcline has cautioned commanding officers to keep call sign suggestions professional. Crowston has asked for an apology from those who came up with the offensive suggestions back in 2009. He also requested a transfer, and was assigned to Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic Squadron at Oceana, but last week was informed he was being transferred to Naval Special Warfare Group 2, a Navy Seal team which is scheduled to be deployed to either Iraq or Afghanistan in a few months.

FMI: www.navy.mil