A decorated Army general is now under investigation after allegedly sending sexually charged text messages to the wife of an enlisted soldier, whom he called a “hottie” before telling her to erase the racy missives.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Harrington, a two-star general in charge of US Army Africa who is based in northern Italy, allegedly sent dozens of messages to the woman in Europe, who is married to an American soldier, USA Today reports.
“You seem to have a great modeling resume! Truly! Though I hadn’t noticed!” Harrington wrote in one message. “Where is your hubby tonight? Work?”
In another message, Harrington told the woman – who spoke to the newspaper on condition of anonymity due to fears of reprisal against her husband – about the joys of rekindled romance after she told him she had been fighting with her husband.
“I’m sorry! Make up se … x is fun,” Harrington wrote. “U can be my nurse … I’d enjoy being in a tent with U.”
In yet another message, Harrington acknowledged knowing that the woman’s husband wouldn’t be pleased about their correspondence, while telling her in another note that he’d “enjoy giving [her] a gift one day.”
The Army Inspector General launched a probe into Harrington’s alleged conduct after USA Today obtained a series of messages from earlier this year. The unidentified woman said the text messages started off as friendly after meeting Harrington at a gym. The woman said the relationship did not get physical, but said she got concerned when the messages took a sexual turn.
Harrington, who is married, is a decorated New Jersey native who has received many awards throughout his military career, including two Defense Superior Service Medals, a Bronze Star and a Legion of Merit, among others, according to his Army biography.
Harrington seemingly knew the messages were problematic because he asked the woman to delete them on several occasions, including after suggesting that they meet in person.
“I hope u delete this exchange!” Harrington wrote.
Don Christensen, a former chief prosecutor for the Air Force, told USA Today the texts clearly violate military law, including conduct unbecoming of an officer.
“With all the attention we have paid to improper relationships in the military, he just didn’t care,” Christensen said. “He should lose his command over this. It’s probably time for him to retire.”
Harrington’s attempt to cover his tracks is the most problematic aspect of the allegations, Christensen said.
“By asking her to delete the exchanges, he seems to know it wasn’t appropriate to be involved with the wife of an enlisted man in his command,” Christensen told USA Today.
Both an Army spokesman and a spokesman for US Army Africa declined to comment, USA Today reports, citing an ongoing probe into the allegations.