WASHINGTON, March 7 (UPI) -- Before you accuse me, take a look at yourself…

The Army’s top sexual assault prosecutor has been suspended amid allegations that he attempted to grope and kiss a lawyer who worked for him while they were at a sexual-assault conference more than two years ago.


Stars and Stripes reported that the Army is investigating the allegations levied against Lt. Col. Joseph “Jay” Morse, and that he is suspended “pending the outcome of the investigation.”

Morse supervises more than 20 special victims prosecutors who are responsible for dealing with cases involving sexual assault, domestic abuse and crimes against children.

“Given that this is still an open case, we are precluded from providing additional information at this point,” an Army spokesman told the Army Times.

The lawyer reported the incident in February and Morse was subsequently suspended.

"This reads like an article from the Onion," Nancy Parrish, the president of Protect Our Defenders, said in an email to Stars and Stripes. “Unfortunately there is absolutely nothing funny about it.

"If true, this case is yet another disheartening example of the hollow pledges of ‘zero tolerance’ we have heard for more than 20 years. When the military has those at top of the chain who are in charge of fighting sexual assault accused of sexual misconduct at a conference on sexual assault it should be clear to every level headed human being [that] the status quo must be changed."

[Stars and Stripes] [Army Times]