US Senate confirms Gen. Hyten amid sexual accusations

By Vakkas Dogantekin

ANKARA (AA) - The Senate confirmed Gen. John Hyten to be the second in command of the military despite sexual harassment accusations by a former subordinate.

Senators voted 75-22 for Hyten, a former chief of U.S. Strategic Command, after a delay as they considered if he allegedly sexually harassed Col. Kathryn Spletstoser on several occasions in 2017.

The Senate Armed Services Committee said it examined sexual assault allegations but found no credible evidence.

Democrats opposed to Hyten’s confirmation said they do not have confidence in his ability to combat sexual assault in the military.

Spletstoser accused the new vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of making numerous unwanted sexual advances, including hugging, kissing and rubbing against her while the two worked together.

She said the most serious incident was when he ejaculated on her, allegations rejected by Hyten and the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Hyten told the committee in July the "allegations are false” and “nothing happened, ever.”

Despite an Air Force investigation that did not find evidence, Spletstoser has maintained her accusations.

“I came forward with my story because I felt a moral obligation to share the truth about what happened to me,” she said in a statement to the media this week, according to the Hill magazine.

“Unfortunately, my experience has only served to demonstrate how unequipped the military still is to deal with sexual assault. The process for seeking justice has been a sham,” she said.