Episode Five: Despicable Decisions in Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach

Did You Know: The leadership at Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach does not permit individuals under administrative investigation the opportunity to review and confirm the accuracy of their own statements before the statements are included in the official investigation record. This issue arises after an investigating officer conducts an in-person interview, takes notes, and summarizes the accused’s statements in their own words. The accused is then denied the chance to review or verify this summarized statement before it is submitted as part of the investigation.

Here are some potential implications of these facts:

1. Inaccurate Representation: Without the opportunity to confirm the accuracy of their statements, there is a high risk that the investigating officer’s notes may misrepresent the individual’s words or intentions. This can lead to errors in the investigation report.
2. Impact on Career and Reputation: An inaccurate statement will likely negatively impact the accused’s career, especially in cases where the investigation leads to disciplinary action. Without the ability to confirm or contest their statement, individuals will be unfairly held accountable for things they did not say or mean.
3. Due Process Concerns: Denying the accused the chance to verify their statements may raise concerns about fairness and due process. It undermines the individual’s right to participate fully in their defense, thus violating basic procedural protections.
4. Loss of Trust in Leadership: The lack of transparency will erode trust between Coast Guard personnel and leadership, fostering a perception of bias or unjust treatment. This will affect morale and organizational cohesion.
5. Challenges to Accountability: Investigators themselves may face scrutiny for their methods if the refusal to allow statement verification is seen as contributing to flawed or biased outcomes. It raises questions about the fairness and reliability of the overall investigation process.
6. Legal and Administrative Challenges: If inaccuracies in the investigation record come to light, it could lead to appeals, legal challenges, or delays in the investigation process. An incomplete or inaccurate record may provide grounds for questioning the integrity of the investigation, that should lead to reversals of decisions.
7. Potential for Appeals and Legal Liabilities: If individuals feel their statements were misrepresented, they may seek legal recourse, adding complications to the administrative process and increasing the Coast Guard’s exposure to lawsuits or other legal challenges.

We urge Coast Guard leadership, Congress, and the American people to take immediate action to ensure fairness and transparency in administrative investigations. The current practice of denying individuals the opportunity to review and verify their statements before inclusion in the official record undermines due process and threatens the integrity of investigative systems. Coast Guard personnel deserve the right to confirm the accuracy of their words, and leadership must act to safeguard this fundamental right. We call on Congress to hold the Coast Guard accountable and implement reforms that promote justice, fairness, and accountability in all investigations.

If you feel that you have been a victim of these types of concerns, feel free to reach out privately at [email protected], or share your story in the comments.

PETITIONS:

1. SIGN THIS PETITION urging the Supreme Court of the United States to hear the case of Staff Sergeant Ryan Carter who was paralyzed from the chest down following a routine surgery at Walter Reed.
2. SIGN THIS PETITION demanding that our leaders in Congress change the DoD’s unjust administrative investigatory system.
3. SIGN THIS PETITION demanding real anti-harassment reform in the Military and Coast Guard now.

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Below is a sampling of news articles spotlighting systemic leadership corruption in the U.S. Coast Guard.

1. Military Times: This article discusses allegations that the Coast Guard covered up sexual assault cases at its academy. Lawmakers criticized the service for not providing documents and for heavily redacting those it did release. The scandal was highlighted through "Operation Fouled Anchor," which detailed years of unaddressed sexual assault cases. You can read the full article here: Military Times.
2. Stars and Stripes: These articles cover veterans’ calls for accountability in the Coast Guard’s handling of sexual assault cases, pointing to a systemic cover-up over several years. The report details how the service failed to properly investigate or disclose sexual misconduct allegations. You can read the full articles here Stars and Stripes and here Stars and Stripes.
3. Connecticut Public reported on a whistleblower’s accusations that the U.S. Coast Guard lied to victims of sexual assault as part of a cover-up. This came to light during the Operation Fouled Anchor investigation, which uncovered over 100 incidents of sexual misconduct at the academy. For further details, check the article here: Connecticut Public.
4. Marine Insight covered legal actions against the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, with former students demanding $130 million in damages, citing negligence in preventing sexual assaults. The article also discusses the systemic issues and legal proceedings following the CNN report on Operation Fouled Anchor. You can read more about it here: Marine Insight.
5. The Maritime Executive reported on class-action filings by victims who allege that the academy failed to protect cadets from sexual assault. Legal actions are being pursued under the Federal Tort Claims Act. You can access the full article here: Maritime Executive.

Graphic Information: Left to Right – Captain (Ret) Ryan Manning, Former Commander, Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach; Rear Admiral Andrews Sugimoto, Former Commander, Eleventh District (D11); Captain Stacey Crecy, Commander, Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach.

LTC (Ret) Francesca Graham (Retired, Army – United States Military Academy), COO & Chief Advisor with the Walk the Talk Foundation, authored this article. Facts for this article are provided by a source with intimate knowledge of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach processes who wishes to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation.