CIA ensnared in sex-crimes controversy – CNN
The Central Intelligence Agency is currently facing a #MeToo moment following several allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct within its organization. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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The CIA is reportedly experiencing its own #MeToo moment, as highlighted by a recent article from CNN.
An internal survey conducted by the agency reveals that nearly a third of its employees have encountered inappropriate sexual conduct at least once during their careers. This survey is the first of its kind and was shared exclusively with CNN.
The report suggests that the CIA is facing a reckoning similar to the public campaign against sexual harassment that began in the entertainment industry in 2017, which led to significant convictions, including that of former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
”We are not where we need to be, and I don’t need a survey to tell me that,” stated CIA Chief Operating Officer Maura Burns, who is not related to Director William Burns.
Participation in the voluntary survey was low, with only a quarter of employees taking part. Among those who did, 28% reported experiencing “at least one instance of a sexually hostile work environment” during their tenure at the agency, while 9% encountered such an environment within the past year.
CNN mentioned that these figures are “just slightly higher than the national average” and indicate a lower prevalence than reported by the US military. The article also cited two significant cases that point to a “deep-rooted cultural problem” within the agency located in Langley, Virginia.
One officer, who was recently stationed in Europe, is accused of knowingly transmitting a sexually transmitted disease to at least five women and remains employed at the CIA, working at headquarters while an internal investigation is conducted.
Additionally, a female contractor has alleged that a senior CIA officer pressured her into sexual relations, claiming that he visited her home armed and made threats while on CIA premises, as stated in a federal lawsuit. Sources informed CNN that the officer has since been terminated.
In a separate case, a federal court in Virginia sentenced a former CIA officer to 30 years in prison for multiple sexual offenses, including raping four women and sexually abusing six others during his service in various Latin American countries over more than a decade.
To address these issues, Maura Burns has reportedly created a Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Office. During a town hall meeting on September 25, Burns and SHARP head Dr. Taleta Jackson provided guidance to officers on how to report incidents of sexual harassment without jeopardizing their cover or classified information.
”Go call the police. The cover issue, we will fix, don’t worry about that,” Burns reassured attendees of the town hall, according to CNN.
However, a complaint from one alleged victim filed in June reveals that she was allegedly advised by management to mislead law enforcement about her and her attacker’s connection to the CIA, as well as the circumstances of her reported assault on agency premises. This individual, known as ‘Danielle Sparks,’ claimed that refusing to comply would result in charges of mishandling classified information.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
An internal survey conducted by the agency reveals that nearly a third of its employees have encountered inappropriate sexual conduct at least once during their careers. This survey is the first of its kind and was shared exclusively with CNN.
The report suggests that the CIA is facing a reckoning similar to the public campaign against sexual harassment that began in the entertainment industry in 2017, which led to significant convictions, including that of former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
”We are not where we need to be, and I don’t need a survey to tell me that,” stated CIA Chief Operating Officer Maura Burns, who is not related to Director William Burns.
Participation in the voluntary survey was low, with only a quarter of employees taking part. Among those who did, 28% reported experiencing “at least one instance of a sexually hostile work environment” during their tenure at the agency, while 9% encountered such an environment within the past year.
CNN mentioned that these figures are “just slightly higher than the national average” and indicate a lower prevalence than reported by the US military. The article also cited two significant cases that point to a “deep-rooted cultural problem” within the agency located in Langley, Virginia.
One officer, who was recently stationed in Europe, is accused of knowingly transmitting a sexually transmitted disease to at least five women and remains employed at the CIA, working at headquarters while an internal investigation is conducted.
Additionally, a female contractor has alleged that a senior CIA officer pressured her into sexual relations, claiming that he visited her home armed and made threats while on CIA premises, as stated in a federal lawsuit. Sources informed CNN that the officer has since been terminated.
In a separate case, a federal court in Virginia sentenced a former CIA officer to 30 years in prison for multiple sexual offenses, including raping four women and sexually abusing six others during his service in various Latin American countries over more than a decade.
To address these issues, Maura Burns has reportedly created a Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Office. During a town hall meeting on September 25, Burns and SHARP head Dr. Taleta Jackson provided guidance to officers on how to report incidents of sexual harassment without jeopardizing their cover or classified information.
”Go call the police. The cover issue, we will fix, don’t worry about that,” Burns reassured attendees of the town hall, according to CNN.
However, a complaint from one alleged victim filed in June reveals that she was allegedly advised by management to mislead law enforcement about her and her attacker’s connection to the CIA, as well as the circumstances of her reported assault on agency premises. This individual, known as ‘Danielle Sparks,’ claimed that refusing to comply would result in charges of mishandling classified information.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
