{"id":31207,"date":"2024-01-03T22:11:26","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T22:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/uncategorized\/2024\/01\/03\/senior-intel-official-sexually-harassed-woman-at-work-report-finds\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T15:14:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T15:14:39","slug":"senior-intel-official-sexually-harassed-woman-at-work-report-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/federaltimes\/fedlife\/2024\/01\/03\/senior-intel-official-sexually-harassed-woman-at-work-report-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"Senior intel official sexually harassed woman at work, report finds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The former director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency persistently sexually harassed a subordinate<\/a> over a period of more than a year, according to a Defense Department Inspector General investigation released in December<\/a>. The report also revealed several incidents of unlawfully disclosing security clearance information, engaging in unauthorized political activity at work and drinking alcohol in the office without authorization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The overall conduct of William Lietzau created a toxic work environment, the IG report said, as he not only reportedly harassed the subordinate, but created the perception within the office that he favored her and that the two were having an affair. Lietzau, however, will face no consequences, as he retired in October after a nearly 40-year career that included time as a Marine Corps infantry officer, a judge advocate and a civilian intelligence official.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs I have said several times under oath, although I foolishly made myself vulnerable to some of these allegations, I did not commit any of the offenses alleged against me in this report,\u201d Lietzau told Military Times on Wednesday. \u201cThe report recounts a false narrative and omits countless facts that do not support that narrative.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inspector general investigation began in spring 2021 with an anonymous complaint to the IG hotline about Lietzau\u2019s reported sexual harassment of a member of his staff, along with a host of other infractions. The staff member had documented nearly two years of harassment, including text messages, recorded phone calls and multiple memorandums for record during particularly troubling incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first of those incidents occurred when, after a weekly staff check-in call in Lietzau\u2019s hotel room as the two were traveling on business, Lietzau climbed on top of the subordinate, according to the report. Both parties told investigators she made clear she was not interested in an intimate relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lietzau\u2019s written statements and interview statements explain that he thought the subordinate had been coming onto him for months, based on her behavior and how she dressed in the office, and that the temptation of her being in his hotel room was too much to overcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Witnesses interviewed recalled Lietzau repeatedly looking the woman up and down in front of others in the office, and recounted multiple disclosures from her that Lietzau made her uncomfortable to the point that she was avoiding being alone with him at work.<\/p>\n\n\n\t