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Another Military Scandal? General Demoted Over Lavish Travel & Spending

Nov. 14, 2012 7:11am Billy Hallowell

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — Just when you thought scandals surrounding American generals had reacher their pinnacle, yet another incident — this one somewhat less salacious – has come to light. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has demoted the former head of U.S. Africa Command who was accused of spending thousands of dollars on lavish travel and other unauthorized expenses, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

Panetta stripped Gen. William “Kip” Ward of a star, which means that he will now retire as a three-star lieutenant general. Ward also has been ordered to repay the government $82,000.

Secretary of the Army John McHugh concurred with Panetta’s decision, Pentagon press secretary George Little said in a statement Tuesday.

This Oct. 1, 2008 file photo shows Army Gen. William E. “Kip” Ward, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, speaking at the Pentagon. A senior U.S. official says Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has demoted, Ward, the former head of U.S. Africa Command who was accused of spending thousands of dollars on lavish travel and other unauthorized expenses. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)

The demotion came after retired Army Gen. David Petraeus resigned as CIA director because of an extramarital affair and Marine Gen. John Allen was being investigated for potentially improper communications with a woman.

“Secretary Panetta insists that leaders within the Department of Defense exemplify both professional excellence and sound judgment,” Little said. “The secretary is committed to ensuring that any improprieties or misconduct by senior officers are dealt with swiftly and appropriately.”

A spokesman for Ward said Tuesday that the general “has never been motivated by personal gain and fulfilled each and every mission assigned to him and served his country and the men and women assigned to his commands with distinction.”

“While Gen. Ward is not perfect he has always been guided by his faith in God and the belief that there is no greater honor as a patriot than to lead those who choose to serve our nation in the armed forces,” spokesman Chris Garrett said in a statement.

Retiring as a three-star general will cost Ward about $30,000 a year in retirement pay, giving him close to $208,802 a year rather than the $236,650 he would receive as a four-star general.

Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had urged Panetta to allow Ward to retire at his full four-star general rank, according to defense officials.

A report by the Defense Department inspector general found that Ward used military vehicles to shuttle his wife on shopping trips and to a spa and billed the government for a refueling stop overnight in Bermuda, where the couple stayed in a $750 suite. The report detailed lengthy stays at lavish hotels for Ward, his wife and his staff members, and the use of five-vehicle motorcades when he traveled to Washington.

Photo Credit: AFRICOM

The report also said Ward and his wife, Joyce, accepted dinner and Broadway show tickets from a government contractor during a trip during which he went backstage to meet actor Denzel Washington. The couple and several staff members also spent two nights at the Waldorf Astoria hotel.

Other charges were that Ward often extended his overseas trips – particularly those to the U.S. – for personal reasons, resulting in “exponential” increases in costs.

Although the report included responses from Ward to a number of the allegations, investigators often found records and statements that contradicted his explanations. At one point, Ward defended the Bermuda layover, saying that it came up on short notice, which is why his security team had to stay there longer. The report found records showing that the layover had been planned for at least four days in advance.

A common theme running through the report was Ward’s insistence that his wife travel with him at government cost, even though it was often not authorized and she performed few official duties. It said he also routinely stayed in high-priced suites in luxury hotels rather than in standard rooms or less expensive locales.

The allegations, coming after a 17-month investigation, delayed Ward’s planned April 2011 retirement. And they were an embarrassing end note to his career, since he had claimed a place in history as the military’s first commander of Africa Command.

Panetta’s options regarding Ward were limited by complex laws and military guidelines. He had only one real choice: Allow Ward to retire as a four-star or demote him and force him to retire as a lieutenant general.

In order for Ward to be demoted to two-star rank, investigators would have to conclude that he also had problems before moving to Africa Command, and officials said that does not appear to be the case.

Flickr/The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)

The investigation dragged on for so long that that Ward was temporarily dropped to two-star status. Under military guidelines, if a full general is not serving in a four-star command or office for more than 60 days, he or she is automatically reduced to two-star rank. Ward would not be able to recoup any back pay for the time at the two-star rank, even though he is being retired at the three-star level.

Major general, or two-star, is the highest rank to which an officer can be promoted by regular military action. Becoming a three-star – lieutenant general – or a four-star general requires a presidential nomination and confirmation by Congress. It, therefore, is not considered permanent and lasts only as long as the person is serving in a job of that rank.

That technical demotion is not uncommon as generals move from job to job and unexpected delays occur. It would not have affected Ward’s ability to retire as a four-star, if he had been cleared of the charges.

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Comments (75)

Beachbaby
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:13am
This is just a ruse to hide the fact key people are being replaced with friends of high office. A new system of govt. A new world order…

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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:40am
  The general had so much promise,he could have become our first black president.
  
  Report this comment
- Mandors
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:48am
  Spot on, Bbaby, at least someone is paying attention.
  
  Report this comment
- SocialistSlayer
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:57am
  I agree , all the top military is being systematically replaced !
  
  Report this comment
- Marine 1
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 11:01am
  Something to look for is who is a member of the CFR. Several of us vets have discovered that many field grade and general officers are CFR members and are in key positions throughout the military. There is a definitive moement to ensure that all the “right” military and civilian personnel are in place to bring about the change the PTB desire.
  
  One problem – the PTB have failed to figure out how to deal with the hearts and souls of free men and women who still believe in GOD – COUNTRY – HONOR and the rights given to us by our Creator.
  
  We are not stupid. When Obama, and the satanic group he’s a puppet for, come after our guns then, indeed, all hell with break loose because we all know that free men and women will not be free once we have given up any means of keeping ourselves free. Once the guns are gone we all will be slaves in the truest sense of the word.
  
  I fear that the day is rapidly coming when civility – the best way to resolve issues – will no longer be an option because those in leadership positions refuse to listen to the people.
  
  Things are bad in the United States and they are getting worse. We are in serious trouble.
  
  Report this comment
Tickdog
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:09am
lol!!!!!!!!!

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- Female
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:28am
  “A common theme running through the report was Ward’s insistence that his wife travel with him at government cost, even though it was often not authorized and she performed few official duties.”
  
  Especially..”she performed few official duties” I beg to differ in light of Petraus scandal, Ward, who loves his wife and keeps her with him to perform MARITAL duties is serving in an official capacity. Seriously in the private sector a business leader in charge of the large of a responsibility can’t be placed in luxury and protection. Let’s compare this to other government officials; like how much are we spending on Hillary’s dodging the Benghazi.
  
  Petraus gets to keep 4 star being a disgraced and Ward gets demoted seriously.
  
  Hey, can I pull the “race card on this one”?
  
  Black General serving as 1st top Africom Commander (even if I think it is the anti-traditional marriage card), or is that only allowed for liberals…call Whoopi and Joy, place this bee in their girdle.
  
  Report this comment
turbo
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:08am
All of this is part of the Obama/Muslim/Progressive/Soros plan to destroy the USA.
Death by a thousand cuts.

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Guttersmack
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 8:02am
A set up to get ‘Yes men’ in command and then drastically cut military funding….essentially neuter leadership then significantly reduce manning. This President despises the military.

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700P
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:58am
Old news…would be far more interested to find out the real story on why his successor at AFRICOM General Ham was rotated out early

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katiemac27
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:55am
At least he took his wife.

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- stablepar
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 10:54am
  michele our belle probably felt like the cereals wife was elbowing into her territory
  
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bikerdogred1
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:53am
The general must have through he was obama when it came to spending TAXPAYER money.How about taking a few stars away from MOOSHELLE while we are at it.

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- MegganW
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:07am
  Exactly.
  
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jscottu
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:49am
This general KNOWS that the country is deeply in debt and yet he wasted taxpayers money (a LOT of taxpayers money). Make him pay it back. Then bust him to staff sergeant and retire him.

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- georgesgirl
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:57am
  3 and 4 star gens. retire at full pay because they can be recalled on little notice and for any reason. Retire him to 1 or 2 stars and he retires like anyone else, at a percentage.
  
  Report this comment
diverdan
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:47am
Doesn’t it seem a bit strange that suddenly all of the top Generals are being removed. After all these years of service the Obama Administration suddenly discovers the wrongdoing. Or, is it let’s get rid of any military leader that disagrees with us so we can do anything we want.

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- poorrichard09
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:57am
  Uh oh! A successful BLACK general-most likely with conservative views-we can’t have that! It sets a positive example for young blacks that you CAN make it if you work hard. Gotta take down Allen West, too.
  
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- Geez Louise
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:36am
  It’s called purge of the Generals. The top guys go down first, an example–if they can cashier them, it can happen to you.
  
  Report this comment
barber2
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:42am
And thus the Obama Administration continues its Media Trial of the military while Europe is embroiled in labor strikes, OWS in New York mobilizes clean-up after storm Sandy and plans to be in it for ” the long haul ” with mold removal ( see where this is going ? ), the Obama cabinet is out all over the world , Obama is told ” nothing” that might prove embarrassing to his presidency, and Putin tightens Russia’s ” treason laws.” Just another lovely day…

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steve-in-pa
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:39am
$4,700 per person for a state dinner with Beyonce and the prez of Mexico… when is 0bama going to pay that back. I would say that is very excessive. They have the entire White House but they set up a tent and have a train bring people out to the tent. Don’t even know where to start with the 1.4 billion taxpayers spent on the Soetoro clan last year. 100k plus for a dog trainer might be a good place. Let them eat arugula cake… especially on meatless Mondays. The way food and gas prices are going it will soon be meatless May, June, July….

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- PorkPIG
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:52am
  They spend more than I make in a year on non sense , do nothing to help the economy, and wanna take bigger chunk of my table scraps! When Does this end ?
  
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- IMayLookHarmless...
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 9:03am
  If this is a good enough reason for Demotion, let’s start at the top, shall we??
  
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KingCanon
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:38am
More house cleaning!
God is cleaning house!
More to come!

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Maidoff101
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:37am
Secret Service, CBO, Bill Clinton?
Why not, Their just following Their Leaders!
The “Fleecing” of America continues.

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RightUnite
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:36am
Watch for this dude to be added to Obama’s closet staff members…. Mark my words.

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- starman70
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:52am
  Hell, the DUMBOCRATS will select him to be the next vice presidential candidate under Hillary in 2016. His spending philosophy fits right in with Odummer’s.
  
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johnpaulkuchtajr
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:34am
OK.

If you’re a graduate of the Richard Daley School of Corrupt Politics and you want to cut the ****** right out of the most formidable military force ever assembled, what would you do?

As the most corrupt graduate of the aforementioned school, you cast about looking for scape goats who you can point to when you cut big chunks out of the military budget. “These guys don’t need more money,” the Sewer Rat-in-Chief will intone. “They have way too much time on their hands.”

There is so much rancor within government agencies of all stripes that the witch hunts have just barely begun! Mean time, the safety, security and certainly the attitude of our citizenry suffers mightily.

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danbarlinmar
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:34am
it starts with going after the generals.

History will only repeat itself if we didnt hear it the first time.

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momrules
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:34am
Amazing isn’t it? High ranking military members are being professionally destroyed right after O gets re elected. Purging the leadership?

Keep your eye on who they are replaced with.

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GuruMeditation
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:32am
A word to the wise. Sirens can take a man down more effectively than a bullet.

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PorkPIG
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:30am
Lavish Travel Expenses!!!! Kinda The The commander in chief ,and his free spending wife . They live the life of royalty and then decide to to make commoner pay more with tax hike . Why dont they start at the top and work there way down . Glenn is right , all of sudden they are on mission to discredit the military . All of this has been going on for a while and they wait until now to do something about it .

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- loriann12
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:37am
  Look into the Indonesian Killings of 1965-66. Obama, as Barry Soetoro, got to Indonesia when they killings were still going on. They purged the communists out of Indonesia, mostly by using Muslim youth and women. There is a rumor that the American military and CIA helped. Remember, Barry’s mother was a communist and his step father was a muslim….. He doesn’t trust our military unless they’re all backing him. It’s payback time.
  
  Report this comment
DZ-015
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:30am
Gotta love the timing of this thing. It comes out after a 17-month investigation and drops just as other general scandals do. What is it they wish to divert attention from? Oh yeah, those deaths in Benghazi and the ultimate blame for them.

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GuruMeditation
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:30am
The military best wise up to the fact their the so called “commander in chief” is the enemy.

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- loriann12
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:41am
  Being former Navy I can tell you that was the hardest thing for me to overcome….believing that my Commander in Chief wanted to destroy America.
  
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Sicialian Eyeball
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:24am
If you were a 4 star general,how would you like to take orders from clowns like 0bama an Panetta?

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wbaranowski
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:21am
Kinda like, Hilary, hunh? When does she have to pay us back? 100 rooms in Australia? Sh’e going to have to write another book, or two, to pay that lot back.

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kickagrandma
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:20am
Excuse me…. “lavish travel-spending” charges???? Who elses (plural, Gollum-like creatures) do we know who fall into that category, hmmmm????

Their demotion is coming from GOD HIMSELF, since they refuse to listen to wise counsel from GOD’s kids (and others, actually).

GOOD MORNING, AMERICA!
GOOD MORNING, ISRAEL!
GOOD MORNING, BLAZERS!

HUGS AND LOVE TO YOU, GOD. THANK YOU for this day in which we WILL rejoice just because YOU have made it for us. In JESUS’ SWEET AND MIGHTY name, amen.

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Dushman Kush
Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:18am
General Ward has faithfully served the Nation’s interests. This fine Comrade should have his rank restored and should be compensated for having suffered these scurrilous allegations. Never has he nor ever would he compromise our national security. This is an outrage to every Comrade loyal to our Commander-in-Chief.

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- jscottu
  Posted on November 14, 2012 at 7:50am
  Some people might not catch the sarcasm.
  
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