Defense Sec. Carter Fires Senior Military Aid

The US Defence Secretary Ash Carter has removed his senior military assistant Lieutenant General Ron Lewis from his position over allegations of misconduct.

What those allegations are is not immediately clear. “There is no exception”.

Carter said he was referring the allegations to the Defense Department’s Inspector General.

The Defense Department Inspector General confirmed Thursday night that they were conducting an investigation.

Lewis served as a trusted adviser to Carter for years, including as his military assistant when the Pentagon chief was defense undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics.

Kathie Scarrah, communications director for the Defense Department inspector general said the office has received the referral from Carter and will conduct an investigation. And even though the two men are well acquainted, Carter indicated Thursday that the same rules apply to everyone on his staff.

According to an unnamed senior Defense Department official cited by Reuters, Carter was did not see the misconduct allegations coming, which were announced on Tuesday evening.

He became the Defense secretary’s senior military assistant when Carter took office February 17. The Pentagon chief had praised Lewis in an October 14 speech at the Association of the US Army annual meeting.

Carter publicly praised him just a month ago at an Army event in Washington, saying: “Time after time, whenever I’ve needed Ron’s counsel and vision, I’ve been able to count on him”.