Navy Officer Is Guilty of Sexual Harassment

The second-ranking officer at the Navy Submarine Base on Point Loma has been convicted by court-martial of maltreating and assaulting three female sailors.

A seven-member, all-male military jury returned the verdict in the sexual harassment case Friday night after deliberating five hours.

Cmdr. John A. Boyar was acquitted of one count of sexual harassment, one count of assault and two charges of conduct unbecoming an officer. He was fined $1,600, received an official reprimand and a loss of seniority that hurts his chances for promotion.

“I’m not shocked or surprised,” said Boyar, a 27-year Navy veteran. “That’s the way life is now in the Navy. I’ll tell you this, I’ll never again attend another social function where there’s female Navy officers or enlisted women attending. If you smile at somebody today, it’s all over.”

Specifically, Boyar was convicted on four of the five sexual harassment counts involving allegations that he proposed sexual intercourse to Lt. j.g. Angela Bartosik, 24, sexually harassed former Petty Officer 3rd Class Lonnie Miller-Flaugh, 21, on two separate occasions and Seaman Elaine Antonucci, 20, on one occasion.

The offenses occurred at various social functions.

He was found guilty on three of the four assault counts for offensively touching Bartosik’s knee, fondling Flaugh’s leg and later grabbing and kissing Flaugh during an encounter at a base picnic.

“It’s a sad day in the Navy,” said Lt. Frank Carber, who prosecuted the case. “There is no glee when one of our officers has fallen.”

During the weeklong court-martial, the defense portrayed Boyar as a gregarious person who expressed himself harmlessly with his hands. But two women Navy officers and two enlisted women testified for the prosecution that Boyar’s actions were offensive and that he had either propositioned them or sexually harassed them.

“I wouldn’t say I’m happy, but I’m relieved that the Navy isn’t going to let this happen, that they support our rights as women to be treated equally,” Antonucci said.

Meanwhile, officials at the submarine base said a training program is being started to raise the awareness of personnel to sexual harassment problems.