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Lt. Col. Allen West Fined in Administrative Action
The commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division on Friday accepted a U.S. military investigatorâs recommendation and ordered administrative action against Lt. Col. Allen West, who was accused of using improper methods to force information out of an Iraqi detainee. Following a military hearing, West was fined $5,000 over two months, according to Westâs civillian attorney, Neal Puckett. The punishment does not affect Westâs eligibility for retirement and pension, Puckett said in a statement. "I know the method I used was not right, but I wanted to take care of my soldiers," West testified to a military courtroom of observers and some teary-eyed troops formerly under his command. Asked if he would have act differently if under similar circumstances again, West testified, "If itâs about the lives of my soldiers at stake, Iâd go through hell with a gasoline can." After nearly 20 years of military service, West plans to move his family from Texas to Florida, where he said he hopes to start a new life.Posted by: JP 2003-12-12 |
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