US general fired for texting to seduce subordinate's wife

The US military has fired a senior army general after he sent a series of explicit text messages to a sergeant's wife, telling her she was "hot".

On October 15, the Pentagon announced the dismissal of US Army commander in Africa Joseph Harrington and his recall to investigate an alleged illicit relationship with the wife of a sergeant stationed in Italy.

US Army spokesman Patrick Seiber said Harrington's removal was due to "a loss of confidence in his leadership abilities." "The investigation is ongoing, we cannot comment further at this time," USA Today quoted Seiber.

Harrington and the sergeant’s wife met at the gym on base in Vicenza, Italy, and began exchanging private and explicit messages, many of which were about the woman’s appearance. Harrington also asked her to delete the messages, saying that if the sergeant learned about the relationship, he would not be happy. But she did not.

Harrington is the latest high-ranking US military officer to be disciplined for inappropriate behavior. Photo: US Army.

The affair lasted for about three months before the husband discovered it. The wife had to disclose all text messages and chats to the media. Harrington, who is married, was suspended from his position from September 1.

This could be a fatal blow to Harrington's promising military career. He was a top aide to former Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey.

The US military has seen a number of high-ranking officers caught up in sex scandals in recent times. In 2016, General Ron Lewis, a top aide to former US Defense Secretary Ash Carter, was fired after visiting a strip club.

Faced with the increasingly serious situation, the US military has implemented many counseling and psychological training programs to improve the ethics and lifestyle of soldiers and senior commanders. Photo: US Air Force.

In June, General Wayne W. Grigsby Jr., the former commander of Fort Riley, was reprimanded and demoted from major general to brigadier general after investigators discovered he had an improper relationship with a female captain under his command.

Most recently, the US Navy is investigating whether there was any favoritism for spokesman Chris Servello while he remained in his position after allegations of sexual misconduct at a Christmas party.

According to Zing.vn