HARTFORD, Conn. — A recent U.S. Senate committee report has unveiled that former high-ranking officials within the Coast Guard concealed an extensive investigation into sexual assault and harassment at the service’s academy from Congress and the public. This decision came after leadership discussions about the repercussions of potential disclosures, raising significant concerns about accountability and transparency.
The investigation, known as Operation Fouled Anchor, spanned from 2014 to 2019 and reviewed over 100 allegations of sexual assault reported between the early 1990s and 2006. Despite the gravity of the findings, which indicated significant mishandling of sexual misconduct cases involving academy cadets, Coast Guard officials did not adequately inform Congress or the public until the investigation was disclosed last year.
Senator Richard Blumenthal emphasized the importance of unveiling the truth, stating, “The public deserves an explanation. So do the survivors.” As part of its response, the Coast Guard acknowledged the report’s findings and asserted its commitment to addressing sexual assault and harassment within its ranks.
The subcommittee’s investigation has sparked renewed calls for reform and accountability, revealing that numerous sexual assault cases had been inadequately addressed by the academy, often preventing the prosecution of offenders. The findings have led to formal complaints by over 20 former cadets alleging sexual assault.
The report also alleged that in 2018, Admiral Karl Schultz, then commandant of the Coast Guard, opted not to disclose the investigation publicly, citing its incomplete status. Discussions among other Coast Guard officials highlighted concerns about potential Congressional investigations stemming from the publication of the findings.
Several versions of the final report were drafted, with earlier versions detailing critical information that was ultimately omitted in the final six-page summary. The Senate subcommittee accused Coast Guard officials of failing to fully comply with requests for documentation, alleging excessive redaction and misclassification of documents.
The Coast Guard maintains that it has made significant efforts to comply with congressional requests, having reviewed over 1.8 million emails and documents. The Senate subcommittee’s investigation into the Coast Guard’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations remains ongoing, with continued scrutiny expected into the institution’s accountability practices. The report concluded that the Coast Guard’s decision to withhold information fell short of its duty to protect and support victims of sexual assault and harassment.
