Misconduct Charge Against Female General Rejected

The Defense Department’s inspector general decided Friday there are no grounds to formally investigate a misconduct allegation against the Army’s highest-ranking female officer.

The allegation, made last week by a retired Army officer whose identity has not been made public, had added a twist to the already-tangled situation involving Lt. Gen. Claudia Kennedy. She caused a stir by accusing a fellow general of sexual harassment. The Army is investigating her charge.

When the unidentified retired officer sent an e-mail to the Defense Department inspector general’s office April 7 he claimed to have knowledge of “personal misconduct” on Kennedy’s part. The nature of the alleged misconduct has not been disclosed. Officials said then that the charge appeared to have little substance. The inspector general’s office, nonetheless, was obligated by law to see whether a formal investigation was necessary.

“The answer is, ‘No,’ ” a senior defense official said, speaking on condition he not be identified. “There is nothing there on which to base an investigation. Case closed.”

Army officials have declined to comment on the Kennedy case, citing privacy concerns and a policy of not discussing investigations by the inspector general until they are completed. The Army has not confirmed for the record that Kennedy filed a complaint or that the Army inspector general is investigating.

Neither Kennedy nor the officer she accused of sexually harassing her in 1996, Maj. Gen. Larry G. Smith, has responded to media requests for comment.

Kennedy accused Smith of inappropriate touching during a visit in her Pentagon office.