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| Plea deal in US Gen Sinclair sex crimes case | Plea deal in US Gen Sinclair sex crimes case |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A US Army general accused of sex crimes has pleaded guilty to lesser charges, as prosecutors drop the most serious allegations against him. | A US Army general accused of sex crimes has pleaded guilty to lesser charges, as prosecutors drop the most serious allegations against him. |
| The deal was reached after a military judge said prosecutors had improperly pushed ahead with the trial of Brig Gen Jeffrey Sinclair, 51. | The deal was reached after a military judge said prosecutors had improperly pushed ahead with the trial of Brig Gen Jeffrey Sinclair, 51. |
| He has admitted having an affair with a female captain but denied sexually assaulting and threatening her. | He has admitted having an affair with a female captain but denied sexually assaulting and threatening her. |
| Gen Sinclair is expected to receive a limited sentence under the deal. | Gen Sinclair is expected to receive a limited sentence under the deal. |
| The US military has been under increasing pressure to curb what the Pentagon has called an epidemic of sexual misconduct within its ranks. | The US military has been under increasing pressure to curb what the Pentagon has called an epidemic of sexual misconduct within its ranks. |
| New plea deal | New plea deal |
| Lawyers for Gen Sinclair said on Monday that prosecutors would drop the sexual assault charges and two other counts that could have required him to register as a sex offender. | Lawyers for Gen Sinclair said on Monday that prosecutors would drop the sexual assault charges and two other counts that could have required him to register as a sex offender. |
| The former deputy commander of the elite 82nd Airborne division would plead guilty to the remaining charges, including abusing a government credit card while travelling to visit his mistress. | The former deputy commander of the elite 82nd Airborne division would plead guilty to the remaining charges, including abusing a government credit card while travelling to visit his mistress. |
| Prosecutors had alleged Gen Sinclair twice forced the female captain to perform oral sex and threatened her family with death if she ever told anyone about their affair. | Prosecutors had alleged Gen Sinclair twice forced the female captain to perform oral sex and threatened her family with death if she ever told anyone about their affair. |
| But last week, Judge Col James Pohl said he had found evidence in newly-disclosed emails that senior military officers had improperly influenced prosecutors' decision to reject a lenient plea deal earlier in the case. | But last week, Judge Col James Pohl said he had found evidence in newly-disclosed emails that senior military officers had improperly influenced prosecutors' decision to reject a lenient plea deal earlier in the case. |
| Col Pohl gave the defence another chance to strike a plea deal with a new set of Army officials. | |
| The new agreement is likely to include a sentencing agreement less severe than the maximum penalties of 15 years in prison and dismissal from the Army. | The new agreement is likely to include a sentencing agreement less severe than the maximum penalties of 15 years in prison and dismissal from the Army. |
| Gen Sinclair may also face additional administrative penalties from the Army, which could force him to retire at reduced rank. | Gen Sinclair may also face additional administrative penalties from the Army, which could force him to retire at reduced rank. |
| He previously pleaded guilty to having improper relationships with three subordinates, including his accuser, as well as adultery, which is a crime in the military. | He previously pleaded guilty to having improper relationships with three subordinates, including his accuser, as well as adultery, which is a crime in the military. |