“Deep Moral Rot:” U.S. Coast Guard Leader Grilled on Operation Fouled Anchor

A tense hearing as the head of the U.S. Coast Guard faced Senators to answer questions on the alleged coverup of sexual assaults at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.

Senators on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations grilled U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan over her handling of the coverup, not disciplining perpetrators, and for not turning over documents to senators for investigation, accusing her of overseeing a “culture of concealment.”

The panel wanted records related to Operation Fouled Anchor, which is the Coast Guard’s internal investigation into sexual assault cases at the Coast Guard Academy. Lawmakers accused the Coast Guard of providing highly redacted and duplicate documents.

Admiral Fagan insists the Coast Guard is complying, turning over 18,000 documents.

“We began this process last summer, added people and resourcing to ensure that we’re able to get into a regular production of documents. This is an unprecedented undertaking for the organization,” said Adm. Fagan.

The Coast Guard did not disclose the existence of Operation Fouled Anchor until 2023, after it was reported by CNN. The probe was in existence from 2006 to 2020.

In addition, Senator Richard Blumenthal, the panel’s chairman, pointed out that nearly 40 whistleblowers have come forward, to say that the sexual harassment and coverup are ongoing.

“Our investigation has shown a deep moral rot within the Coast Guard now,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), chairman of the committee. “One that prioritizes cronyism over accountability, silence over survivors.”

Admiral Fagan responded that she is trying to change the culture but needs more time and resources.

“I want to stop creating victims, but for the victims that we do have in the organization, I am 100% committed to fully supporting them and their needs,” said Adm. Fagan.

Whistleblower Resignation

The testimony came just days after one such whistleblower, former sexual assault response coordinator Shannon Norenberg, resigned from her post.

Norenberg accused the Coast Guard of using her as part of the coverup of Operation Fouled Anchor.

In a lengthy statement posted online, Norenberg wrote, “The Coast Guard lied to me. Worse than that, they used me to lie to victims, used me to silence victims, and used me in a coordinated effort to discourage victims of sexual assault at the Academy from speaking to Congress about their assaults and about the Coast Guard’s investigation of their cases.”

Norenberg said the Coast Guard also banned her from providing survivors with paperwork that would help them access veteran’s benefits available to sexual assault survivors even as she met with them around the country.

“The whole thing was a cruel coverup at the expense of the victims, with the entire purpose being to preserve the image of the Coast Guard and avoid scandal. And the Coast Guard used me as part of their plan,” wrote Norenberg.

At the hearing, Admiral Fagan admitted she had not yet read Norenberg’s statement. The admiral pledged to do so.