Accuser Sought to ‘Get Back at’ McKinney, Witness Says
The first woman to accuse the Army’s former top enlisted man of sexual harassment once threatened to retaliate against him for criticizing her, a former colleague testified Monday.
Retired Sgt. Maj. Brenda Hoster, a spokeswoman and speech writer for Sgt. Maj. Gene C. McKinney, became upset when McKinney criticized a speech she prepared in 1995, Maj. Sandy Pogue testified.
Pogue, who held a similar job for a senior Army general, said he offered Hoster advice but she rebuffed him.
“She said there are other ways to get back at him,” referring to McKinney, Pogue said.
McKinney, 47, is being court-martialed on charges ranging from assault to adultery to obstruction of justice. He faces more than 55 years in prison if convicted on all 19 counts.
As the court-martial began a second month, defense witnesses continued to testify to McKinney’s character or attack the credibility of his accusers. Hoster’s co-workers suggested she was not only vengeful, but out of her league as McKinney’s aide.
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