Updated at 6:37 p.m.
Gov. Phil Scott on Thursday brushed off allegations that the Vermont National Guard is plagued by a culture of sexual impropriety and alcohol abuse, referring to recently reported incidents as the actions of “an occasional bad apple.”
During a press conference at the Guard’s Colchester headquarters, Scott expressed full support for the organization and its leader, Maj. Gen. Steven Cray. Though the governor admitted that reporting by VTDigger.org had brought new allegations to light, he said he saw “no reason to go through an independent review.”
“I want to be very clear,” Scott said, as Cray stood behind him. “My faith and confidence in the women and men of the Vermont National Guard is unwavering.”
The two men, joined by dozens of Guard members, spent roughly 45 minutes addressing allegations raised in a seven-part series VTDigger published last week. The stories described a hard-partying, misogynistic organization that failed to address alleged sexual misconduct and retaliated against a whistleblower.
According to Cray, that portrait was flawed. “I vehemently disagree with and dispute the negative characterizations of our members and our culture in recent media coverage,” the adjutant general said.
But when Cray was asked whether the stories were factually accurate, the Guard’s commanding officer said he could think of only one specific error: the number of reported sexual assaults in recent years. Cray’s complaint, he said, was with “the tone and characterization of the culture in the National Guard.” He committed to providing the media a list of other alleged errors following a review.
The series, called “The flying fraternity,” included allegations that a former Guard chaplain had coerced an assistant into sexual activity for years — and, even after an investigation, had been allowed to retire with full benefits. More than 10 women who previously served in the Guard described “a toxic culture” at the organization, according to VTDigger.
The reporting also included allegations that an Air National Guard commander had flown his F-16 to the Washington, D.C., area for a romantic rendezvous; that the Guard delayed hundreds of discharges to inflate its numbers; and that a Guard investigator had been terminated for speaking out about the allegations.
Cray said the Guard was “not a perfect organization” but that it was “committed to improving our culture of dignity and respect.” He said that while privacy policies prevented him from discussing specific situations, “I can say that the cases and individuals that were identified in the articles were investigated, reviewed and adjudicated … In the end, the cases were handled correctly, professionally and appropriate action was taken.”
Scott said he learned of some of the incidents shortly after taking office in 2017 and was satisfied that each had been handled properly.
“We are not, at this time, advocating for any independent review,” the governor said. “I’ve spoken to Gen. Cray. I take him at his word. They’re doing everything they can. And I’m convinced that all the procedures and protocols were adhered to.”
But Scott acknowledged that he had not known about all of the allegations until VTDigger published its series.
“I think you’ve done a pretty good job in providing transparency and have brought a lot of these to light,” he told VTDigger founder and editor Anne Galloway, who was present for the press conference.
Asked how to square his own praise for VTDigger’s reporting with Cray’s condemnation of it, Scott said, “Well, again, I’m saying, you know, the media has a role to play, and they’ve brought a lot of things to light.” He added, “You know, I wouldn’t have heard about some of it had Digger not written about it.”
Nevertheless, the governor said, he was now certain he understood the full picture. “I’m not convinced there is any more and I’ve spoken to Gen. Cray, asked him pointedly about that.”
Cray also addressed the Guard’s decision to remove VTDigger from its media distribution list during the reporting of the series. He said he personally approved the move. “I wanted to send a message that said that I did not agree with the tactic of having [a VTDigger reporter] call a survivor and do harm to that individual,” the general said.
In a statement issued Thursday evening, Galloway and her fellow editors took issue with Cray’s explanation. They wrote that the news outlet had been removed from the list on September 28 and that it had not contacted the survivor in question until mid-October. VTDigger “followed journalistic best practices” in balancing “sensitivity to victims and the need to report on their abuse,” the editors wrote.
In a separate interview, Galloway said that VTDigger stood by its reporting, which she said was based on the accounts of 24 current and former Guard members. She said she was “very disappointed that Gen. Cray was unwilling to sit down with us [for an interview] because we want to be holistic in our reporting and we want to show all sides of the story.”
The Guard has since restored the news organization to its press list. During the press conference, Scott said he “didn’t agree with the decision” to remove VTDigger. “I think Gen. Cray knows that at this point,” the governor said. “I believe it should be an open process.”
Cray told reporters that his recent announcement that he would not seek a fourth two-year term as adjutant general was unrelated to the controversy. He said he “had certainly been talking to the governor, legislators, my senior leadership team and whatnot to fully expect that there would be a transition after my third term.” The governor confirmed that he had learned of Cray’s plans roughly three months ago.
Cray, who has served in the Guard for nearly 34 years, said, “I literally grew up in this organization and will hold my head high when I retire in March.”
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Of course Scott is going to believe the leader of the guard!!
This is disappointing, and a bit reminiscent of Trump tak8ng the Saudi’s “word for it”.
Seems like the damage was fairly pervasive.
The information from the series on the VANG had a very strong indication of cronyism and lack of leadership among the officers and jet drivers in VTANG. The basic issue is officers took care of themselves and did not care about the enlisted troops. An officer is supposed to ensure the troops are equipped, fed and taken care of before the officers! I would suggest that the Air Guard assign this book to all their officers so they can learn what leadership is all about: https://www.usni.org/store/books/professio…
Leadership starts by example from the very top!
Semper Fi
The Good ‘Ol Boy network in action. Gov Scott gittin’ Trumpy wit it.
Just the look on the woman’s face behind General Cray’s right shoulder in the picture says it all. She looks like she’s been told to shut up and take it and obey orders.
This isn’t patriotism, it is ham-fisted authoritarianism, which fits rather snug in our dysfunctional Trumpian era. This scandal sounds like more than just a “few bad apples”.
Maybe Scott and other big shots are afraid this would jeopardize VTANG’s getting the F-35. Further investigation by an outside body is required. Good work VTDigger.
So, the powerful male politician “unwaveringly” believes the powerful male military leader that sexual assault and sexual harassment of women, lying, alcohol abuse even while on duty, vindictive retributions against a whistleblower, abuse of government property, allowing perpetrators to retire with full benefits, and defrauding the public of untold millions of dollars are NOT cause for concern? You have GOT to be kidding me! Every woman and taxpayer in this state should be outraged at Scott’s dismissal of these allegations without a state and federal investigation, because he “takes him (Cray) at this word”. Not good enough, Phil! These allegations, combined with the lying and cheating by the Guard to win the inappropriate F35 basing decision, have totally destroyed the Guard’s credibility with Vermonters, and as Governor, you owe us a full, open and transparent investigation of these allegations.
PS Since Scott wasn’t aware of many of these allegations prior to VT Digger’s report, it means the Guard is also guilty of withholding information to their commander-in-chief. Yet Scott still thinks nothing is wrong and there’s no need to investigate? What an outrage.
Caputo, Jackman, & Cray are all huge disappointments. Friends don’t let friends fly F-35’s drunk. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=19…
Scott recognizes and appreciates that the Digger articles have “brought a lot of things to light” and Cray does not dispute the factual accuracy of these stories, except for getting one number wrong.
How then can both Scott and Cray hold that it makes any sense to move forward as if all is hunky-dory?
It seems obvious that some independent review of these things brought to light and perhaps some accountability is in order.
If you dispute the allegations so strongly, why not encourage an investigation to prove the reporting wrong?
VERY disappointing, but not totally surprising. Something needs to be done about this.
So Phil Scott is doing his best catholic bishop impression. “They SAID they didn’t rape anyone… What more do you want?!”
Since Phil has decided to abrogate his responsibility, the State House and/or Senate needs to start an investigation immediately. This isn’t about one disgruntled former employee getting even. When there are this many complaints of wrongdoing you don’t ask the leader of the accused who says everything is rosy and just take their word for it. I smell a cover-up.
Governor Scott, you sound a lot like Mr. Trump blindly believing powerful men above facts and reporting. You can’t believe VT Digger and Maj. Gen. Steven Cray at the same time.
“We are not, at this time, advocating for any independent review, the governor said. Ive spoken to Gen. Cray. I take him at his word…” -Governor Scott
* * *
“Earlier Thursday on Air Force One, Trump also defended Republican Rep. Jim Jordan against allegations he overlooked sexual abuse during his time as a wrestling coach at Ohio State University.
‘I don’t believe them at all. I believe him,’ Trump said.”
* * *
“Trump took the time to tell news media representatives on Air Force One that during the summit in Vietnam, Putin again denied meddling in the US presidential election and ‘I believe him.'”
With all the thousands of abuses and sex crimes by military personnel, it defies imagination and all common sense that the VTANG is a pool of purity and chaste behavior. Oversight would be very welcome by this taxpaying citizen.
As long as the guard is protected by powerful officials, they will continue to behave however they want. The military protects its own, our elected officials must take responsible steps to curb abusive behavior. If nothing else, do it to protect your own hides, because it will come out once it gets bad enough.
It’s time for our legislature to show leadership and investigate VTANG. No organization supported by taxpayer dollars is above accountability. Their reaction to VTDigger is shameful and Trumpish.
Boys will be boys. Get over it
Like most government related entities, VTANG has a lot of wasted tax payer dollars. I’m sure there are a lot of ways to cut the spending and save some money. Phil throwing his blind support behind them doesn’t sit well. He seems to always be switching sides of the fence, playing Vermonters.
However, the pilots……let’s just leave them alone and let them do their thing. Strapping your ass to a rocket and defending our freedom should come with some added benefits. They’re a different breed and I for one want them to be that. They need to be. I don’t want some PC pilot getting cold feet because he’s thinking of a non-representative mural when he should be thinking of blowing the enemy to smithereens.
Scott is one of the boys, and he mirrors Cray’s weak, permissive leadership. Why anyone expected better from him, I don’t know. Dems have got to stop falling for GOP “nice guy” masquerades. Sue Mintner would have dealt with these good ole boys firmly and justly. Rallying issue, future elections.