A staff sergeant in the Virgin Islands Air National Guard who filed a sexual harassment suit against National Guard Col. Eddie Charles said Thursday she has been disenfranchised as the guard continues to ignore both the case she filed in 1999 and the findings of a National Guard Bureau investigation of the allegation.
Staff Sgt. Charmaine Seales expressed concern over the conduct of the leadership of the National Guard.
"My case was closed to the point where we received the NGB final report," Seales said, but the defendant in the case remains on the job. She also accused Brig. Gen. Cleave McBean of being slow to take final action, even after the reports came in. "He says they have rights, but what about my rights?" she asked.
Seales' attorney Ronald Russell, who was equally concerned about the National Guard's apparent ignoring of the case, said he plans to pursue the suit through the U.S. District Court where the case was originally filed.
About three months ago Charles, who was placed on leave when the suit was filed, went public saying that he would be exonerated when the legal challenges and investigations were over.
National Guard spokesman Capt. Osbert Potter said that the National Guard takes all allegations seriously but that the investigation takes time as all elements of the suit are thoroughly examined.
However, he said, based on investigations already completed, three guardsmen have been disciplined. He did not elaborate. "This is not a situation that should be rushed…anyone who has had charges filed against them also has rights and the right to appeal," Potter said.
He said National Guard Adj. Gen. Cleave McBean has zero tolerance for acts of sexual harassment in the workplace.
