Report: Fired USS Lake Erie captain instilled a ‘culture of fear’
By Sarah Sicard
Feb 1, 05:00 AM
Capt. Danielle DeFant was relieved as commanding officer of the cruiser Lake Erie in October. (Navy)
The commanding officer of the cruiser Lake Erie fostered a hostile environment on the ship by tormenting crew members before she was relieved of duty in October, according to a Navy investigation obtained by Navy Times.
Capt. Danielle DeFant — who commanded the ship for roughly 14 months — was ousted following an investigation that began after three unnamed subordinates aired grievances about “toxic command climate and/or sexual discrimination.”
A Freedom of Information Act request filed by KPBS in San Diego first revealed details of the Navy’s investigation.
Go here to read the full investigation.
The probe reveals instances where DeFant screamed at and berated subordinates — particularly the officers — creating a “toxic” situation.
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2024/02/01/report-fired-uss-lake-erie-captain-instilled-a-culture-of-fear/