According to a report in The Washington Post, A Pentagon inspector general's report has concluded that a former four-star admiral's relationship with a female Marine lieutenant colonel cost taxpayers at least $5,900 in transportation and telephone expenses. But the Defense Department will not seek reimbursement because the admiral was forced to retire almost a year ago in the wake of a separate incident.
Admiral Richard C. Macke, who served as commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific last year, was forced to retire 11 months ago after he told reporters that three U.S. servicemen could have hired a prostitute for the same price they paid for a rental car in which they raped a 12-year-old Japanese girl.
The DoD IG's office concluded that Macke's involvement with the lower-ranking female Marine violated Navy policy on relationships of that nature. The IG also said Macke had violated ethics rules by using a reconfigured Boeing 707 to visit the woman and by making $2,300 in phone calls to her over an 18-month period.
A Defense Department spokesman told the Post that Macke's relationship was "past history." Macke's rank was reduced two stars after the comment to reporters about the rape. A Navy spokesman also said reimbursement would not be sought because "the report was not that definite."
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