A Virginia jury acquitted a former CIA officer-trainee on Wednesday of allegations that he assaulted a female colleague in a stairwell, charges that led to a surge of sexual misconduct complaints and subsequent reforms within the intelligence agency.
Prosecutors had accused Ashkan Bayatpour of approaching a fellow trainee at the CIA’s headquarters in Langley, Virginia, in 2022. They stated that he wrapped a scarf around her neck, attempted to kiss her, and made menacing comments during the incident.
Initially convicted of a misdemeanor assault and battery charge in a bench trial last summer, Bayatpour sought a jury trial in Fairfax County, as mandated by Virginia law. Following several hours of deliberation, the jury reached its verdict on Wednesday.
Expressing relief, Bayatpour, 40, remarked, “I’m thankful that a jury of my peers believed me and found me not guilty.” He shared that the accusations over the past two years had been a grueling experience for him and his family, stripping away their peace and security. Now, he hopes to reconstruct his life after this challenging period.
During the earlier trial, Bayatpour admitted to wrapping the woman’s scarf around her neck but contended that his actions were meant as a joke during what was intended to be a lighthearted walk together. His attorney described the situation as “a joke that didn’t land as it was supposed to.”
The woman’s decision to escalate the matter beyond the CIA inspired at least two dozen female employees within the agency to come forward in the past two years, sharing their personal experiences of sexual assault and unwanted advances. These testimonies illustrated a broader culture of silence and intimidation within the agency, as the women reported feeling discouraged from speaking out.
Investigations have revealed that some allegations date back years, involving everything from crude sexual comments to severe misconduct incidents, such as claims that a senior CIA officer inappropriately touched a colleague at a gathering.
In a bipartisan report released this year, the House Intelligence Committee criticized the CIA for mishandling these sexual misconduct allegations. The report, informed by discussions with 26 whistleblowers and CIA officials, highlighted the agency’s ineffective investigations and the tendency of victims to be deterred from filing formal complaints.
The CIA asserted that it has since instituted several policy reforms, including ensuring that officers can report complaints to law enforcement and enhancing the efficiency of internal investigations. They reaffirmed their commitment to creating a safe workplace, stating, “We take the issues of sexual assault and sexual harassment extremely seriously.”
Following her complaint, Bayatpour’s accuser, Rachel Cuda, was terminated from her position after filing a federal civil rights lawsuit. She alleged that the CIA retaliated against her for reporting the incident to law enforcement and testifying in a closed congressional hearing.
Her attorney, Kevin Carroll, expressed dismay over the trial’s outcome, criticizing what he described as defendant tactics aimed at discrediting Cuda through misleading and irrelevant allegations. He condemned the efforts to damage her reputation as “reprehensible,” emphasizing his astonishment that such tactics were permitted in the courtroom.
Typically, identities of those who allege sexual abuse are not disclosed unless publicly shared or consented to, as was the case with Cuda in this instance.