THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 12, 1995 TAG: 9510120312
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DALE EISMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Even as she tried to counsel callers to a Navy-run sexual harassment hot line in the spring of 1993, Lt. Mary E. Felix was being harassed by her own commanding officer - now a rear admiral select - she told a jury of senior Navy officers Wednesday.
A series of cards, letters, conversations and looks directed at her by Capt. Everett L. Greene left her angry and confused, Felix testified as Greene's court-martial convened at the Washington Navy Yard.
``It just made me sick,'' she said.
Greene, who was selected for rear admiral early this year, denies any improper contact with Felix or former Lt. Pamela Castrucci, who like Felix has accused him of being overly attentive to her personal problems. He also is expected to allege that Felix, who has been granted immunity from prosecution by the Navy, sought a sexual relationship with him.
Greene's court-martial on charges of fraternization and conduct unbecoming an officer is expected to last at least a week. His trial, being heard by a panel of five rear admirals and three captains, apparently is the first since World War II of an officer chosen for flag rank.
The case also is attracting attention for other reasons: It's the latest in a well-chronicled series of problems the Navy has had with sexual harassment. And the charges were brought months after Greene, his accusers and the Navy had agreed to an informal, out-of-court settlement.
Finally, there is a potential racial element; Felix and Castrucci are white, while Greene is an African American. Felix said Wednesday that part of what made her uncomfortable in associating with Greene was his persistent complaining about being a victim of discrimination in the Navy.
Felix acknowledged Wednesday that she decided to make a formal complaint only after Greene's name appeared on the rear admiral's promotion list. Though Greene had abided by an agreement not to contact her, she said she was worried that as an admiral he might violate those terms.
Felix, 27, often seemed close to tears Wednesday as Cmdr. Carol Cooper, the prosecutor in the case, questioned her about a series of encounters with Greene beginning in February 1993.
She sought him out, Felix said, because she thought he should know about physical and emotional problems she was having in the wake of a failed relationship. She said she was worried that her troubles could affect her work at the Bureau of Naval Personnel.
Soon after their first talk however, Greene gave her a poem including the line: ``Whenever you need to be adored, I will be there.''
``I thought it was pretty strange,'' Felix testified, ``but I just wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt.'' Soon after that, she began to go jogging with Greene during their lunch hours, she said, and ``he told me a lot of real personal things,'' including stories of difficulties in his marriage.
Those talks, along with other cards, notes and gifts, led her to gradually break off contact with Greene that spring, Felix said. He was transferred out of the Bureau of Naval Personnel in the summer.
Cross-examined by Greene's lawyer, Lt. Cmdr. William Little, Felix was sometimes hesitant about the timing of her contacts with Greene and the specifics of his attentions toward her. She also acknowledged seeking and getting letters of recommendation from Greene for her own promotions or reassignments, even after complaining to him about his contacts with her.
KEYWORDS: SEXUAL HARASSMENT COURT MARTIAL U.S. NAVY by CNB