Navy Backtracks, Doesn’t Return Informant to Base

A Navy internal auditor who has given federal investigators crucial testimony and documents detailing widespread fraud and kickbacks on the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk was ordered back to the North Island Naval Air Station on Wednesday despite concerns that his life was in danger there.

Only after a congressman intervened with Navy officials in Washington was Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Jackson then transferred to another base.

“The chain of command . . . that is charged with protecting these people in doing their duty seems to have a misguided loyalty,” Rep. Jim Bates (D-San Diego) said. “It’s as if protecting the name of the Navy is more important than protecting someone’s life if they have been critical of the Navy.”

Interviewed by FBI

Jackson, now under orders from the Navy not to talk to the media without first getting permission from military public affairs officials, was interviewed this week by the FBI and the Naval Investigative Service about allegations that an international ring shipped stolen spare parts of F-14 fighter planes to Iran.

His attorneys said Jackson has given investigators the names of 30 sailors he said have been involved in theft or fraud within the ship’s supply system.

They charged that embarrassed Navy officials wanted Jackson back so they could interrogate him and discredit his story. “The Navy has gagged, harassed and criticized him,” said D. Anthony Gaston, a San Diego attorney representing Jackson. “They’ve taken the position that this man is some sort of traitor.”

Allegations Denied

Navy officials in San Diego and Washington denied Gaston’s allegation and said Jackson had been routinely ordered back to the Kitty Hawk because his leave had expired.

Asked why the order had been reversed, Navy public affairs Lt. Dave Morris said in a prepared statement from Washington:

“The Navy is always concerned with the well-being and safety of its personnel. Because of Petty Officer Jackson’s involvement with the Naval Investigative Service and statements of alleged wrongdoing by other Navy personnel, it was deemed in his best interests not to return him to the ship after his leave period.”