Senator Richard Blumenthal (D–Connecticut) is demanding answers about the United States Coast Guard’s investigation into rape and harassment at its own academy.
The Coast Guard is accused of intentionally hiding reports of sexual assaults at their cadet academy for years. Internal documents released last week allegedly continue the cover-up.
Driving the news: An investigation known as Operation Fouled Anchor found 62 substantiated instances of rape, sexual assault, or harassment that occurred at the Coast Guard’s New London Academy between 1988 and 2006.
- The investigation was completed in 2018 but the findings were deliberately hidden by Coast Guard leaders for years.
- Blumenthal is calling for the release of full, unredacted documents and better protection for survivors of assault.
- A Coast Guard leader was reported to have made a pros and cons list about whether to release the information, and a handwritten note on that document reads, “Problem is one of the past.”
- Congress was eventually briefed on Operation Failed Anchor last year, following queries from CNN.
- Blumenthal, as the leader of the subcommittee on investigations, has written a letter to the Coast Guard seeking more information.
