Former Air Force mortuary chief fined

DOVER, Del., May 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Air Force says it has fined the former head of the mortuary at Dover Air Force Base for retaliating against whistle-blowers.

The Washington Post said former commander, Col. Robert Edmondson, was issued a $7,000 fine and a letter of reprimand for committing reprisals. It was his second reprimand after the body of a Marine was mutilated and body parts of other U.S. service members were found in a landfill.

A federal panel earlier this year found Edmondson and other top mortuary officials tried to fire two subordinates after they reported missing body parts and other issues at the mortuary, which handles the bodies of service members who die overseas.

Edmondson's top civilian deputy, Trevor Dean, was suspended for the reprisals. A third supervisor, Quinton "Randy" Keel, resigned under pressure in February, the Post said Monday.