Pentagon chief fires top aide over 'misconduct'

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter removed a three-star Army general as his top military adviser and announced in a news release that he has asked the Pentagon's Inspector General to investigate allegations of misconduct by the general.

Carter announced the firing of Lt. Gen. Ron Lewis Thursday afternoon -- news that took many by surprise.

Neither Carter nor any other Pentagon official revealed what Lewis is accused of doing, but anonymous sources told news media that the Army general was terminated for having an improper relationship, The Washington Post reported.

"Today I made the decision to remove my Senior Military Assistant Lieutenant General Ron Lewis from his position after learning about allegations of misconduct," Carter said in a news release Thursday.

"I directed that this matter be referred to the Inspector General of the Department of Defense for investigation," Carter added. "I have confidence in the Inspector General's ability to determine the facts. The Department of the Army will then take action as appropriate."

Lewis, a Chicago native and former helicopter pilot, was commander of an aviation brigade in Afghanistan attached to the 101st Airborne Division beginning in 2008. In 2013, he served as the division's deputy commanding general. He also served for a time as the head of public affairs for the Army.

Although Lewis, 50, will no longer serve as Carter's chief adviser, Defense officials said he will return to a position in the Army.

Lewis' office was immediately adjacent to Carter's in the Pentagon and the three-star general often accompanied the Defense Secretary on trips abroad. As senior military assistant, his primary responsibility was to advise Carter on issues related to policy, strategy and budgets.

Elevating Lewis to the post of senior military assistant was one of the first personnel moves Carter made upon taking the Defense post in February. And even though the two men are well acquainted, Carter indicated Thursday that the same rules apply to everyone on his staff.

"I expect the highest possible standards of conduct from the men and women in this department, particularly from those serving in the most senior positions," he said. "There is no exception."