Marine Officer Disciplined for Commentary Lambasting Clinton

A Marine Corps major who called President Clinton “an adulterous liar” in a newspaper column has been warned orally and in writing, an official familiar with the case said Friday.

Maj. Shane Sellers received “verbal counseling and a nonpunitive letter of caution,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A corps spokeswoman, Maj. Rose-Ann Sgriguoli, confirmed that an administrative action was taken in the matter but declined to confirm the substance.

The action was taken Thursday by Brig. Gen. Frances C. Wilson, the commanding general of the Marine Corps base at Quantico, Va., who had responsibility for the matter, Sgriguoli said.

Sellers works at the Defense Intelligence Agency, the military’s equivalent of the CIA.

Under Article 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, officers are prohibited from using “contemptuous words” about the president, who is commander in chief of the armed forces, and other civilian leaders.

Sellers had written a column periodically for the Navy Times, which is not part of the military. The late October article also criticized members of Congress for backing punishment of Clinton short of impeachment.

Numerous military officers in recent weeks have written columns and letters to the editor that contain harsh criticisms of Clinton’s conduct involving former White House intern Monica S. Lewinsky.

In a letter published Oct. 12 in Army Times, also an independent paper, Army Col. John R. Baer lambasted Clinton and urged him to stop issuing signed letters of appreciation to officers when they retire.

Military officials have said officers in breech of Article 88 could face a maximum penalty of dismissal, confinement for one year and forfeiture of all pay and allowances. Enlisted men and women face similar restrictions.

Defense Department spokesman Kenneth Bacon, asked several weeks ago whether Defense Secretary William S. Cohen was concerned about the incidents, said Cohen has found military men and women more concerned about pay, retirement and the quality of their lives than about Clinton.