Accuser’s Story Disputed in Army Sex Case

Former colleagues of Brenda L. Hoster, the first of five women to make sexual-misconduct allegations against the Army’s top enlisted man, described her Tuesday as a disgruntled person whose accounts of what happened have changed.

“Every time the story was told there was a little more to it,” said retired Command Sgt. Major Jimmy Spencer.

The testimony centered on Hoster’s allegations that Sergeant Major of the Army Gene C. McKinney, during an official trip to Hawaii in April 1996, went to Hoster’s hotel room, where he grabbed her, kissed her and asked for sex.

Hoster’s former colleagues were called to testify by McKinney’s attorneys, who are attempting to establish inconsistencies in the accounts of his accusers. The purpose of the hearing, now in its sixth week, is to determine whether there is enough evidence to court-martial McKinney.

The defense strategy against Hoster also included the testimony of Command Sgt. Maj. Zulma Santiago. Hoster has described Santiago as her friend and landlord, but the defense has implied a sexual relationship between the women--an allegation Hoster has denied.

Because military court rules prohibit questions about a witness’ sexual history, Col. Robert Jarvis, the presiding officer, ordered Santiago questioned in closed session. He also barred any discussion about what was said.

McKinney’s lawyers, however, worked deliberately in the open hearing to cast aspersions on Hoster’s character and her allegations. Spencer, for example, comparing what Hoster told him in May 1996 about her Hawaiian encounter with McKinney and her later testimony, said Hoster’s accounts of the dialogue she had with McKinney were consistent. But he said Hoster did not tell him of any physical actions by McKinney.

A second defense witness, Delores Holts, a retired sergeant who also worked for McKinney and was in Hawaii, said Hoster told her the morning after the alleged encounter that McKinney had made improper advances to her. But Holts said Hoster did not tell her that McKinney had grabbed or kissed her.

Defense attorneys are seeking also to show that Hoster was unhappy working for McKinney, a tough, sometimes rude taskmaster, and struck back by inventing accusations. Holts said McKinney’s nickname was “Mean Gene.”

But McKinney was a fair leader, said Holts, disputing Hoster’s claim that McKinney treated her more harshly than other staff members. Holts and Spencer said Hoster was overly sensitive to criticism.

Spencer also testified that Hoster told him it was “OK” for Spencer to tell a general who had joined them for lunch that “you and I are having sex.”

“I was completely and absolutely floored,” Spencer said.

When asked to explain what Hoster meant, Spencer said she told him that, “It would enhance your reputation as a stud.”

Spencer testified he asked Hoster why she had made the remark, and she replied, “When you are a single female in the Army, you’re either thought of as a whore or a lesbian.”

On Capitol Hill on Tuesday, Hoster met with congresswomen who are considering legislation they hope would reduce and better monitor sexual harassment in the military.