Maj. Gen. Ryan Gonsalves is reported to have violated a policy that requires treating others with dignity and respect.

A U.S. Army general's nomination for a third star has been pulled after an internal investigation found his disrespected a female staffer for U.S. Rep. James Langevin by calling her "sweetheart," according to a report by the military newspaper Stars and Stripes.

The report by the Army Inspector General found a "preponderance of the evidence" determining that Maj. General Ryan Gonsalves made the comment to the staffer at an October 2016 meeting in Fort Carson, Colorado.

The comment is said to have violated the Army Command Policy, which requires treating others with dignity and respect.

Langevin, D-R.I., did not identify the staffer and provided only a brief comment.

“Now, more than ever, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. As it is an ongoing personnel matter, I have no comment on the Army Inspector General’s investigation," Langevin said in a written statement.

Gonsalves led the 4th Infantry Division until August but is now working as a special assistant to the commanding general, III Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, according to Stars and Stripes. Gonsalves was nominated for a third star in July, but the nomination was withdrawn Nov. 27.

The anonymous complaint was filed against Gonsalves on July 20. The Langevin staff member's name was redacted from the Inspector General's report, according to Stars and Stripes.

The newspaper said the report included accusations that Gonsalves took issue with the congressional staffer's age and said she should take detailed notes on why the military needed funding "since she was a Democrat and did not believe in funding the military."

Ten people were present in addition to the female staffer. Some described Gonsalves' behavior as sexist and unprofessional. Others said he acted professionally, according to the news report.

— jbogdan@providencejournal.com
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