Posted on Sep 25, 2015
Retired Virginia Army Colonel sues woman accusing him of rape; How do you think this will play out for him?
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A retired Army colonel from Alexandria is suing one of his classmates from West Point during the 1980's, claiming her recent allegations of a rape from 30 years ago cost him a military promotion. Earlier this year Col Riggins filed a multi-million dollar defamation lawsuit against his former classmate, saying her claims of rape on what some consider a radical blog (Social Media), cost him a promotion to general in the United States Army. Do you think the Secretary of the Army's decision to pull Col Riggins' name from the promotion list was appropriate even though a review board ultimately decided Col Riggins was "fully qualified for promotion? Do you think the unsubstantiated past allegation, rehashed via social media site, should have been allowed to play an integral part in the decision making aspect of his career? Do you think her actions to post this on her site 30 years later were in response to learning that he was up for promotion? And, considering this is a touchy subject, please be thoughtful and respectful with your responses. Thank you! :)
Sexual Assault
Sexual Harassment
Lawsuit
Social Media
Crime
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 13
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MSgt Curtis Ellis - An allegation of rape from 30 years ago, without any proof, should not be used to impact a person's career.
Having said that, there is no chance COL Riggins will be reinstated and promoted. He will, however, probably win his defamation suit against his accuser, as he should.
Having said that, there is no chance COL Riggins will be reinstated and promoted. He will, however, probably win his defamation suit against his accuser, as he should.
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
COL Jean (John) F. B. Agreed, Sir. It is, unfortunate, the toll on his career, especially if she is doing this out of spite...
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COL Vincent Stoneking
And, indeed, according to the story I saw yesterday, he did! Win the suit. I agree, there is no way he would actually get his missed rank at this late date...
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A civil suit was tried in the Fairfax County, VA Circuit Court and concluded on August 2, 2017. The jury unanimously ruled in favor of Riggins and he was awarded $8.4 million in damages.
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Accusations and allegations are not proof. I cannot say if he is guilty or not, but the Army should not hold such things against someone without at least reasonable proof even if there is no conviction. Since they listed him as fully qualified he should have remained on the list absent any other factors.
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
SGT David T. My thoughts exactly, but I guess the Sec of the Army did not want to risk his neck...
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That is one article that clearly does not have all the information. Hard to make a judgement. Regardless, it is going to be a nasty laundry day in that trial.
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
MSG (Join to see) Just based on what is presented in the article, I think he will win the defamation suit, but his career is definitely gone...
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MSG (Join to see)
MSgt Curtis Ellis - Especially since neither party can remember any specific details. Which, honestly, I do find strange.
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
MSG (Join to see) Women don't forget anything... LMAO!!! I think it's like you said previously, not a lot in the article to really give a "definite", and it's probably due to requirements of the upcoming case...
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This is very tough to answer considering we don't know all the facts. I would initially like to point out that a rape that happened 30 years ago is past its date to be filed. She was 25 years too late. Her accusing him would not put him in jail no matter what. Even if he did it, it's past the statue of limitations so he wouldn't go to prison and likely not to trial. So you have to ask what does she gain from this? If he did it, he doesn't go to prison so the justice isn't served. If he didn't do it, it's just an accusation that gets both their names in the news. I can't possibly say for sure if the accusation had anything to do with his upcoming consideration for promotion, but it definitely had an impact. I think that's wrong because in a country where we are "innocent until proven guilty" he's being treated otherwise by the Army. There should be some definitive proof and they haven't produced that yet. I get that he won't go to prison even with proof but it certainly makes sense that if there is proof that they don't want to promote him and have him in charge of troops. Where does the line get drawn that we stop assuming accusations are completely true? People lie plain and simple. We don't know if she is lying or if he is lying but somebody is and you just have to think and question slightly why she'd come forward after all this time with so much at stake for him?
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
Sgt (Join to see) That's not entirely true as the Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Offenses can be as long as 30, and in many other states, there is no statute of limitation (Alabama, Connecticut, etc) depending the type of assault . The issue here is that SHE is not taking it to court, NOR is she accusing him in court. HE is taking it to court, but as a defamation of character case because of what she posted on her page referencing the "alleged, but unproven" rape she suffered by him. I guess in other words, HE is opening up this can in court. I just hope that it doesn't come back to bite him in the a$$... As far as the Army is concerned, I believe he will recoup nothing from the Army.
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Well, from what I read, he got an $8.1 judgement awarded. I get that there's a big push to stop this treatment, but it has become so that a false allegation will destroy you. Just look at the current SCOTUS Confirmation DEBACLE... ...
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What happened to "Innocent until proven guilty"???
The statute of limitations has long since run.....
The statute of limitations has long since run.....
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AN Christopher Crayne
I agree. It's unfounded and he wom over 8'000,000 in lawsuit, the promotion, if warranted should have gone through.
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Question for anyone; he mentions how McHugh wouldn't use his political capitol on him. Now is there any legal way to have him testify to that? And is there any legal way to have those on the board testify as to the process and how the results came about? It's just for my knowledge, nothing more.
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MSgt Curtis Ellis
SSG Warren Swan Just based on what is presented in the article, I think he will win the defamation suit, but as far as forcing the actions/accountability of the SOA or the board, I really don't think that's gonna happen, as truthfully, the size of the case doesn't warrant it (not enough big players), and with the programs/policies currently in place for downsizing the active force, it also provides a good reason/excuse to fall back on and requiring the accused to provide proof that this wasn't the case... Too much money to spend on not a sure thing... He should stick to the defamation. At least it's most likable to be winnable, albeit not much in cash prizes......
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