Vermont adjutant general disputes portrayal of Guard ‘culture’
By: John Banner Baird and Maleeha Sayd for Burlington Free Press, December 6, 2018
Maj. Gen. Steven Cray, the top commander of the Vermont National Guard, on Thursday faulted a news outlet for reporting unflattering articles about sexual misconduct and drinking on the base — but did not dispute the accuracy of the reports.
A VTDigger reporter’s interview with a victim of alleged abuse at the Guard was “inappropriate,” Cray said at a news conference at Camp Johnson in Colchester.
Cray maintained that the Guard followed all of its proper protocols in handling the allegations.
Gov. Phil Scott, who was also at the news conference, praised Cray’s leadership, and said he believes the general followed correct procedures for investigating allegations.
There are no plans for a independent review, the governor said. “I take him at his word.”
Anne Galloway, VTDigger’s editor in chief, defended her organization’s investigation.
“Our characterization of the Guard was based on interviews with 24 different members of the Guard,” Galloway said. “There are 12 more people who have corroborated those stories, and who have more stories to tell.”