AF issues Article 15 to top military lawyer

USAF Link Public News Releases ^ | 12/22/2004 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas | (AFPN)

[axes_of_weezles]

AF issues Article 15 to top military lawyer

12/22/2004 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The commander of Air Education and Training Command completed nonjudicial punishment action against the Air Force’s former top military lawyer Dec. 21.

Following a review of an Air Force inspector general investigation into allegations of wrongdoing, Gen. Donald G. Cook, AETC commander, punished Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Fiscus. General Fiscus received nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice for conduct unbecoming an officer, fraternization, obstruction of justice and violating a lawful general regulation. As a result of these offenses, General Fiscus was reprimanded and given forfeitures of pay.

In addition, General Cook recommended to Air Force Secretary Dr. James G. Roche that General Fiscus retire in a grade lower than major general. General Cook also recommended the investigation into these offenses be referred for appropriate action to Air Force officials charged with overseeing the Judge Advocate Professional Rules of Conduct and the designation and certification of Air Force lawyers.

Secretary Roche and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper transferred this matter to General Cook to ensure the full range of administrative and disciplinary options available to a commander would be considered in determining an appropriate resolution of the case. This put the decision in the hands of a four-star general with 35 years of military service.

General Fiscus held the Air Force’s top military legal position as the Judge Advocate General from Feb. 25, 2002, until Sept. 22, 2004, when he was relieved pending the resolution of the allegations against him.

[axes_of_weezles]

See Discussion http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1296664/posts.

Nice to see the ringknockers taking care of each other.

[axes_of_weezles]

Told you so. They definitely take care of their own. If he was an enlisted swine - they would let him retire at Leavenworth.

[Ready4Freddy]

See Discussion.

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Thanks.

[flaglady47]

Would someone, pray tell who this guy is and what he did wrong? The article tells nothing. You all seem to know, so would one of you fill the rest of us in as to what the story is here? Thanks all.

[investigateworld]

ping

[Polybius]

Told you so. They definitely take care of their own.

Wait a minute. I told you so, too. ;-)

Post 12

[axes_of_weezles]

He was the top lawyer for the Air Force, similar to an Attorney General. He was screwing his subordinates. Very similar to what was going on at Abu Gharaib. Very similar to what Clinton did and was impeached for his actions with Monica. He then lied about it to try to cover up. There was an investigation following a substantiated report. Instead of Leavenworth (prison) he is summarily retired - probably with 2 Star General pay versus 3 Star General pay for the rest of his life. An Article 15 is used to cover up misdemeanors and felonies within the military judicial system. If this was one of his cases as a JAG I am sure he would push for time in the cooler.

[Polybius]

Would someone, pray tell who this guy is and what he did wrong? The article tells nothing. You all seem to know, so would one of you fill the rest of us in as to what the story is here? Thanks all.

While overseeing the work of 3,200 people, Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Fiscus, the Air Force judge advocate general, allegedly conducted affairs with enlisted women, officers and civilian employees in violation of military rules against fraternization, the officials said.

He was also charged with obstruction of justice which senior JAG Corps officers seem to consider as one of their rights when they violate military law.

[Wolverine]

Bump

[Skybird]

Make that 1-star (brigadier general) pay vs. 2-star (major general) pay. As for an Article 15, it's basically a plea agreement--the accused always has the right to reject it and request a trial by courts martial which is a huge roll of the dice. He very might be retired at even a lesser rank (colonel).