General slated to lead US Army Europe mistreated congressional staffer: report

A general expected to be the next head of U.S. Army Europe is under review after the service found that he mistreated a congressional staffer, Stars and Stripes reported.

Maj. Gen. Ryan Gonsalves “was substantiated for a failure to treat a Congressional staffer with dignity and respect,” the Army told Stars and Stripes in a statement. “That finding is currently under review to determine what, if any, further action will be taken.”

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The incident in question is under wraps, as is the identity of the congressional staff member involved.

Gonsalves, who commanded the Fort Carson, Colo.-based 4th Infantry Division until late August, was nominated for a third star by the Army in July, but it was stalled due to the investigation.

He is now serving as a special assistant to the commanding general, III Corps.

The Army said it will name a new commander for U.S. Army Europe before the end of the year. Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, who currently heads the command, was set to retire by September but extended his stay while the Army looks for a replacement.

The review of Gonsalves follows a string of high-profile incidents involving top service officials.

The Navy’s investigation into the “Fat Leonard” corruption scandal has expanded to include at least 60 admirals, with the Justice Department filing criminal charges against two, The Washington Post reported this week.

And the Army last month fired Maj. Gen. Joseph Harrington from head of U.S. Army Africa after the two-star general sent suggestive text messages to the wife of an enlisted soldier under his command.