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Gitmo Cover-up?

February 09, 2007 1:26 PM

Gitmo_abuse_abc_nr_4 An investigation by the U.S. Southern Command into allegations of prisoner abuse at Guantanamo  Bay detention center has concluded that "insufficient evidence exists to substantiate the paralegal's allegations."

But Lieutenant Colonel Colby Vokey, the superior officer to the Marine sergeant who filed the allegations, called the investigation "outrageous." "I am aware that the investigators interviewed only the suspects and some witnesses but did not interview any detainees or potential victims," he told ABC News.  "Failure to interview those who may have been subjected to abuse is indicative of an incomplete investigation."

As first reported on "The Blotter" on ABCNews.com, Heather Cerveny (pictured), 23, a Marine Corps sergeant, who spent a week on the base last September working as a legal aide to  Lt. Col. Vokey, said she was "shocked" to hear several guards from different parts of the base openly speak of mistreating prisoners.

One said, "I took the detainee by the head and smashed his head into the cell door," she told ABC News in October after filing a sworn affidavit with the Pentagon Inspector General.  Another "was telling his buddy, 'Yeah, this one detainee, you know, really pissed me off, irritated me.  So I just, you know, punched him in the face.'"

The following investigation by SouthCom, which oversees military activities in the Caribbean and Latin America, looked into Cerveny's account and another filed by a civilian employee on the base that recounted a conversation between a female guard and a male interrogator on a training range.  After interviewing 20 suspects and witnesses and combing through "three JTF-Guantanamo records systems used to trace detainee-guard interaction," investigators determined, "The evidence did not support any of the allegations of mistreatment and harassment."

Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage.

Amongst the recommendations issued by the investigating officer but ultimately rejected by the SouthCom commander following the investigation was "that disciplinary or other action be taken against Sergeant Cerveny," which Lt. Col Vokey says is the most "outrageous part of the investigation."

"The interview of her [Sgt. Cerveny] was ridiculous and oppressive," he said.  "The investigating officers, a colonel and a captain, walked straight into her office with the intent to accuse her of a crime before she even opened her mouth.  The colonel already had the form in his hand to read her her rights and accuse her, before the interview started."

Lt. Col. Vokey says this investigation sets a dangerous precedent for all officers who find themselves in a position to report suspected criminal activity.  "This was outrageous and sends a dangerous message to all our service members: you'd better not report anything that goes on at Guantanamo Bay, or you'll be threatened or charged with a crime."

Read the press release from United States Southern Command.

February 9, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (28)

User Comments

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Yes there was a gitmo Cover-Up.

The terrorists got there faces covered-up in panties. HAHAHA!

Posted by: JelloBiafra | Feb 9, 2007 1:53:56 PM

Ugly, ugly, ugly. When officers in our military make unfounded criminal accusations of whistleblowers within their ranks, we as a nation are further degraded. What will be covered up next?

Posted by: bob | Feb 9, 2007 2:06:28 PM

HECK YES there was ABUSE!!! AND there SHOULD BE MORE!!!

Posted by: DEWEY | Feb 9, 2007 2:17:54 PM

I'm discusted with the whole "war on terror". Since the Administration is not interested in playing fair they have gone out of their way to make sure that the rest of the players can dispense with the rules too.

Before some chuckel-head comments that the enemy doesn't play fair so we shouldn't either, in my eyes that make you as bad as they are. This is a war of ideoligies.

Posted by: skidog | Feb 9, 2007 2:20:40 PM

Hasn't anybody told Brian Ross what the program at Disney/ABC is yet?

He's not supposed to report any news critical of the Chimpy regime.

He's supposed to smear the Democrats just like ABC's newest goon, Glenn Beck.

Good thing Brian Ross didn't read the memo.

Posted by: Tom3 | Feb 9, 2007 3:15:56 PM

Where those the same investigators who found Sean Baker's GITMO beatings completely unrelated to his brain trauma and disability?


Yes, I'm sure that when they beat the crap out of an American soldier who speaks English well and is participating in a "training exercise" they are just spiffy peachy to the poor schmucks who got sold like slaves by warlords to them and can't speak any English.

Apparently Baker got all that al-Qaeda training that GITMO bemoaned after the hangings --- he let himself be beat to a pulp just to make them look bad. Not to fear, though, the video tapes of the "training exercise" can show us just how good the really do look.

Posted by: Mary | Feb 9, 2007 3:37:38 PM

Let's just wait til the story unfolds.

Posted by: Bob | Feb 9, 2007 3:42:49 PM

where's the news update on the Scooter Libby/ Dick Chaney investigation???

Posted by: julie | Feb 9, 2007 3:47:22 PM

It is time to rise up! We are sliding down a very slippery slope, and at the bottom there is only sand and smoke and oil. Watching this administration is like watching "The Omen". Every scene gets more and more twisted and it becomes increasingly apparant that true evil is seeping into every nook and cranny of our goverment. The Democratic representatives have no guts. Even the one hero of the left and center, Patrick Fitzgerald, is wimping out. He has a slam dunk case of conspiracy involving the VPOTUS and possibly the POTUS but he is too afraid to bring it. The mainstream media has been bought and sold, leaving the American people no option but to rise up and remove these insidiuos people from power. All of us need to rise up, speak up, and act up if we must. Our children will have no future if we just lie down. The world looks to us for answers. The administration and congress gives them empty platitudes and lies. Their only hope is with us. So many brave Americans before us have laid down their lives so that we may be free. Do not waste their sacrifice. Do not quit because the journey is hard. Together we are unstoppable. Seperated and divided we are weak and pathetic. What's it gonna be AMERICA? Ask yourself...Am I an American? or am I just here biding my time on someone else's blood, sweat, and toil? Upon your answer the hope of America rests. Upon your answer the future of the free world waits. There is no more time for talk. STAND UP!!!

Posted by: speak truth to power | Feb 9, 2007 4:13:37 PM

Who would want to be remembered as being part of U.S. military after Iraq and Guantanamo? Only a nut would want that kind of attention.

The U.S. military is a bunch of pawns allowed to abuse and murder. They as a group are creepy sick freaks. How awful it would be, to be them.

Posted by: BlondMadison | Feb 9, 2007 4:25:20 PM

Wow. Sgt. Cerveny and Colonel Vokey have restored my image of the Marine Corps.

As the hymn goes "First to fight for right and freedom, And to keep our honor clean"

True American heroes, and when we need them the most. Semper Fi.

Posted by: Jimbo | Feb 9, 2007 5:28:53 PM

>>>
...Before some chuckel-head comments that the enemy doesn't play fair so we shouldn't either, in my eyes that makes you as bad as they are.
>>>

I agree! That's why they call such people 'terrorists'.

[As one poster reminds us: "It's NOT Fascism When WE Do It"]

Posted by: Joe Hill | Feb 9, 2007 6:50:29 PM

Islamic... I S L A M I C terrorist murdered 3,000 innocent people on 9-11.... Ask me if I give a DAMN about GITMO!

They kill people just for owning a bible... Ask me if I give a DAMN about someone peeing on their Quoran / Koran.

Osama is seldom condemned by the "Moderates" in Islam. Ask me if I give a DAMN about their feelings!

They behead INNOCENT people... Ask me if I give a DAMN about measured response!

They kill women for accidently showing their hair in public or walking in front of a man... Ask me if I give a DAMN about waterboarding or German Shepards!

They swear to anhialate all Christians and Jews... Ask me if I give a DAMN about profiling!

They are building Nuclear Munitions in Iran, and swear to use them against Israel... Ask me if I give a DAMN about a troop surge in the region!

They murder innocent women and children with "suicide" bombs... Ask me if I give a damn about being "Liked" by them!

They hide in schools and religious sites. Ask me if I give a DAMN about respecting them!

The only thing I give a DAMN about is removing the radical scourge from this planet.


The reason I do not respect Bush is that he pampers the leftist wimps in America that are opening the doors to another 9-11!

Posted by: Shane Wilson | Feb 9, 2007 10:50:16 PM

Good OSH been a cover up since day one. terrorist?? tell us who they are really holding!!! WHY haven't anyone been convicted in their kangeroo courts.
hey 911 was an inside job WAKE UP!

Posted by: AB | Feb 9, 2007 11:32:33 PM

I doubt any real harm came to prisoners..the Gitmo Detainees are famous for their/terrorist activity's..I'm sure there is a ROAMING Shark attack around them for High Legal Fees..and when it comes to "intellegence"..don't ask a man in uniform..I don't think they really remember the word.

Posted by: MarkSM | Feb 10, 2007 7:16:16 AM

So let the Red Cross have access to any prisoner at any time.

Posted by: Fred Corron | Feb 10, 2007 10:11:39 AM

Joe-
I agree. The various arguments put forth by the folks who want to defend our acting like animals really boils down to one: it's not wrong if we do it. Interestingly enough, these are often the same folk who rail against evil libruls who don't believe in absolute right and wrong.

Posted by: minniemouse | Feb 10, 2007 10:32:30 AM

A lot of people join the Marines for the wrong reason. I see a lot of punks that joined to prove their manhood and are a menace to everyone . anywhere. I predict that when these punks get back to the States , there are going to be a lot of dead girlfriends , wives, children, and people who just happened to rub them the wrong way. I am a Marine , but I gotta tell you, there are a lot of sickos here who should never be allowed to hold a gun or be in any position of authority. I guess you could say I am dissappointed.

Posted by: Jarhead | Feb 10, 2007 10:51:53 AM

Speak truth to power, You gotta slow down on the cool-aid, Man. The true evil is the Islamists who want to take over the World for Allah. They are doing it by War, Terrorism,Propoganda, and Demographics. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE, MAN! Yes, in ANY organization as big as the military there are going to be a few bad actors, but that is not the end of our civilization.

Posted by: speak truth to fools | Feb 10, 2007 11:06:31 AM

Shane, why should anyone ask if you give a damn? What importance did you ever have in world events. Armchair warriors don't count for much and their opinions are as useless as they are. We turn a blind eye to the murder and oppression of Palestinians in their occupied territories, and befriend dictators as long as it suits us. There have been many 9/11s before and after that same day your history lesson ended. US crimes far outnumber what any terrorist organization has come up with and lets not cover up our own terrorism with a military cloak. Its no less disgusting and it will not be forgotten until we right our wrongs.

Posted by: basil | Feb 10, 2007 6:33:47 PM

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