Air Force General Convicted in Historic Court-Martial Avoids Jail Time

Who really thought he would get any jail or prison time? Let's be realistic. I definitely knew he wouldn't but I think that the optics of it are the Air Force at the very least still held him accountable and didn't just let him get away with it. If I was his victim, I would be glad that they prosecuted him because how often do you see this even happen?

But I knew he wouldn't face any jail or prison and he'd get a letter of reprimand and allowed to retire with his benefits.

Prosecutors requested he be dismissed from the service, or if not dismissed, sentenced to "months" of confinement. A dismissal for a commissioned officer is the equivalent of a dishonorable discharge for enlisted personnel.

Cooley's defense team, meanwhile, argued a letter of reprimand -- which is often a career ender but still allows for retirement benefits -- would be sufficient punishment.

"Maj. Gen. Cooley is very thankful for the judge's compassion here," his civilian lawyer, Daniel Conway, told reporters after the sentence was delivered. "The imposition of a letter of reprimand and significant financial penalties is actually a very significant sentence. And so I think the military judge here did send a message that she was in fact taking this seriously."

His lawyers though - like seriously? "Significant financial penalties is actually a very significant sentence." No it isn't.

I read the article SFC.
It would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall in the back room where the agreement was made. For example: If you take away my benefits, I will write a book on all this...
Just a thought SFC.