CG captain says affairs not criminal

[unhappycamper]

CG captain says affairs not criminal
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Dec 18, 2009 17:45:25 EST

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Capt. Herbert “Mark” Hamilton committed no crime while having extramarital relationships with multiple women, his lawyers said at the end of a three-day military investigative hearing.

Navy Lt. Tim Bergstrom argued in summary comments Thursday that Hamilton never used his position of power to advance the women’s careers, nor did his affairs with them affect his work as a senior officer in a leadership position. He added that the captain’s affairs were consensual and conducted in private.

“The specific acts alleged in this case are not intrinsically indecent,” he said. “They are consistent with a sexual relationship going on between the individuals.”

Hamilton, 48, did not speaking during the hearing at Fort Richardson. Coast Guard Capt. Steven Andersen, the investigating officer presiding over the hearing, will look into the allegations and recommend how the case should proceed. Possibilities include trying those or other charges at a general court-martial or dropping the charges.

The final determination, which could take months, will be made by Rear Adm. Christopher Colvin, district commander.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_coastguard_hearing_121809w/