Retired Officer Exposes General's Fraternization With Subordinate (NM Guard/Richardson cover-up)

The New Mexico Channel ^ | 22 April 2003 | Larry Barker

[Cogadh na Sith]

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- New Mexico's highest-ranking military official quietly resigns, but a Target 7 investigation finds the resignation is clouded by scandal.

Investigative reporter Larry Barker uncovers the truth about the sudden departure of Adjutant General Randall Horn.

He is a two-star general appointed four years ago to head up New Mexico's National Guard.

His resignation yesterday came as a surprise.

Governor Richardson was quoted as saying, it was General Horn's decision to leave the guard, and he had done a good job.

But that's not the real story.

"He crossed the line and that's why this is a serious offense," said Virgil Vigil, a retired military officer who directly negotiated with the governor's office on behalf of the family about alleged misconduct by General Horn.

Vigil says Horn had an improper personal relationship with a subordinate officer.

She is identified as an active duty staff sergeant who works at the Air National Guard as a secretary.

"They traveled extensively together. He helped her with her homework at the community college. I know he constantly called her five times a week. I know that he would actually have lunch with her three or four times a week," said Vigil.

We have learned the Air Guard secretary is married with two small children, but as a result of her friendship with Horn, she is now separated from her husband.

We have also learned recordings between Horn and the Air Guard Sergeant have been turned over the governor's office.

The allegations of fraternization by a military officer were brought to the military's attention one week ago, and late last week the governor's office negotiated with Vigil to work out a settlement.

According to Vigil, the governor decided to do nothing.

"The governor decided to do nothing. The governor decided to let Randy Horn, despite the allegations, retire graciously and basically what it is is a cover-up," said Vigil.

Fraternization is an improper relationship between a military officer and a subordinate. It is a serious offense, and punishable by court marshal, possible jail time, or loss of rank, or pension.

Neither General Horn nor the governor's office returned phone calls for comment.

The Air Force says it will launch an official investigation into the activities of General Horn.

[Poohbah]

But is it HONEST government? When bought, does it STAY bought?

[StolarStorm]

Maybe you shouldn't be so hung up on the cheating thing. Regardless of what many here may say, humans are not monogamous by nature... the stats attest to that. It isn't the cheating that causes problems directly, it is the lying, jealously (caused by insecurity), and possibly veneral disease. flame away.

[KantianBurke]

And then of course is the wonderful aftereffects of 8 years of Bubba.

[FRMAG]

Techinically a Staff Sergeant is an officer without a commmission. Staff Sergeant is a rank within the Non Commissioned Officer Corps. I realise this is splitting hairs but technically a Staff Sergeant is an officer sans commission.

Amongst NCOs the phrase was "It didn't take an act of congress to make me gentleman>"

[r9etb]

but technically a Staff Sergeant is an officer sans commission

And in this case, sans a few other items, too.

[StolarStorm]

Your fear of becoming involved in a relationship because you worry about being cheated on... is really insecure. Don't worry about it. Why forgo love/marriage/children because of a fear that something MIGHT happen? Does the fear of being cheating on consume you? I can think of a lot of worse things that can happen... like going through life alone.

[KantianBurke]

Once AGAIN my posts are NOT indicative of my current situation. Its in reponse to the poor bastard husband and his two young kids who were cheated on and how a society tolerates such "inevitabilities."