A former CIA officer faced conviction for assault and battery after being found guilty of reaching up his colleague’s skirt and forcibly kissing her during a drunken party at a CIA worksite. This incident occurred shortly after the CIA vowed to address sexual misconduct within its ranks. Donald J. Asquith, the convicted officer, plans to appeal the misdemeanor conviction following a judge trial in Loudoun County. Asquith, who retired after the incident last year, received a sentence of a day in jail, a year of probation, and a $2,500 fine.
The victim’s attorney, Kevin Carroll, expressed satisfaction at the verdict, highlighting his client’s desire to stand up for younger women to prevent similar incidents from happening. The CIA responded by stating that they took immediate action upon receiving the report of the assault, restricting Asquith’s contact with the victim. They reiterated their commitment to taking allegations of sexual assault and harassment seriously.
Asquith’s lawyer, John Katz, did not provide any comments, mentioning in court that Asquith was too intoxicated to recollect the events of the party. This case is one of several recent incidents involving CIA officers facing trial for sexual misconduct. In a separate case, Brian Jeffrey Raymond was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for drugging, photographing, and sexually assaulting multiple women during his time as a CIA officer.
Asquith’s charges stemmed from an investigation into a party held at an off-site CIA office for his 50th birthday, which involved inappropriate advances towards the victim, a CIA contractor. The victim recounted rebuffing Asquith’s advances multiple times, leading to him making inappropriate comments and gestures, culminating in unwanted physical contact and kissing without consent.
The victim, who received support from congressional staffers, shared the emotional toll of the incident and its aftermath during the court proceedings. She expressed the impact on her professional reputation and called for accountability in such cases, emphasizing the necessity of taking these matters seriously to prevent recurrence. Asquith’s actions were described as having severe repercussions on her life and career.
In conclusion, the case involving Asquith sheds light on ongoing efforts to address sexual misconduct within the CIA and the significance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. It underscores the importance of creating a safe and respectful work environment for all employees, particularly concerning sensitive matters like harassment and assault.