The House Committee on Oversight and Accountability released on Friday an update on its investigation into allegations of systemic sexual assault and misconduct within the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
The investigation began in December of last year and encompasses the mishandling of serious offenses, including sexual assault, hazing, and discrimination.
The document criticizes USCG leadership for concealing critical information from Congress, mishandling misconduct cases, and failing to support victims or hold perpetrators accountable.
The committee, led by Republican Rep. James Comer, also alleges that DHS and USCG sought to obstruct the investigation, deliberately withholding details of "Operation Fouled Anchor," an internal investigation into sexual misconduct, from both Congress and the public.
Former USCG Commandant Karl Schultz admitted in a transcribed interview to making the decision to withhold the findings. Testimonies from former officials suggest the mishandling extended beyond non-disclosure, the memo added. Michael Berkow, a former director of the USCG Investigative Service (CGIS), added that many cases were improperly addressed when they initially emerged, and critical records related to misconduct were not appropriately maintained.
The investigation goes on to reveal that the USCG Academy, leadership often failed to notify the CGIS, as required, about incidents of misconduct. Instead, these cases were handled internally, in violation of policy, undermining accountability and complicating investigations. Even when CGIS was involved, Academy leadership reportedly interfered with ongoing investigations, further limiting their effectiveness.
The memorandum also highlights broader shortcomings within the CGIS itself during the period investigated under Operation Fouled Anchor. The agency lacked the resources and capacity to function effectively as a law enforcement body capable of addressing serious misconduct, the memo added. Committee authorities said they will continue investigating the matter.
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