US defense secretary Ash Carter says Lieutenant General Ron Lewis was removed from his post after Carter learned of ‘allegations of misconduct’

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

The Pentagon says that defense secretary Ash Carter’s top military aide has been removed from his job and is under investigation by the department’s inspector general.

Lieutenant General Ron Lewis is facing allegations of misconduct, but defense officials would not provide any details. A senior defense official says Carter learned of the allegations Tuesday night and referred the matter to the inspector general. The official says Carter was surprised by the allegations and met with Lewis Thursday morning.

Carter in a statement says the army may take any appropriate action against Lewis once the investigation by the inspector general is finished.

Carter says he expects the highest possible standards of conduct from his department employees, especially senior leaders.