Investigators are digging into allegations that the recently ousted skipper of the cruiser Anzio made sexual advances on women at his command and misbehaved at a female junior officerscommanding officer of the cruiser Anzio As a command investigation into Capt. Brian Sorenson’s time as cruiser Anzio’s skipper continues, allegations have surfaced that the deposed commanding officer made harassing comments to junior officers in his wardroom, and acted up at a command event in late August, which have prompted a Naval Criminal Investigative Service inquiry.
The alleged misconduct at the Aug. 30 wardroomcommand function prompted a preliminary inquiry into Capt Brian Sorenson’s command, said Naval Surface Force Atlantic spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Myers Vasquez. Sorenson was fired on Sept. 10 and flown off his ship, then conducting pre-deployment exercises in the Atlantic, on Sept. 10.
Sorenson, 46, did not return phone messages/ok? calls or an emails seeking comment by Wednesday press time.
Sorenson is under investigation for a pattern of sexual harassment, according to several Navy officials who asked for anonymity while the command investigation continues. CAN WE SAY HERE THAT THERE’S NO CRIMINAL INQUIRY YET?/SF
The allegation concerns sexually charged comments that Sorenson, who is married, is suspected of making to one of his Anzio officers, according to threewo sources familiar with investigative updates. with knowledge of the Navy’s internal message traffic on the firing said the allegation dealt with harassing comments made to one of his officers, thoughse
Vasquez was unable to specify the nature of the allegations emerging against Sorenson while the investigation continues. confirm that. ould not confirm that.
“As the command investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time,” Vasquez said Tuesday.
The inquiry, being led by the Truman Carrier Strike Group, uncovered another case of alleged misconduct by Sorenson that is also under investigation. another allegation surfaced and the Truman CSG strike group 8 boss Rear Adm. Bret Batchelder ordered a full investigation to begin Sept. 4, Vasquez said.
NCIS spokesman Ed Buice confirmed his agency was investigating the allegations, but would not comment on the details of the case. Allegations of unwanted sexual contact typically trigger NCIS involvement.
In October 2014, the CO of the frigate Vandegrift was cashiered after allegedly groping the buttocks of the wife of one of his chiefs, which also launched an NCIS investigation.
SorensonHe has been replaced by the cruiser Vella Gulf’s CO, Capt. Frank Castellano.
Castellano is now permanently in command of Anzio, and Vella Gulf, currently in the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in Norfolk Norfolk shipyards for repairs and maintenance, is awaiting its new skipper.
