Published: March 05, 2011
As the Propeller Turns
Earlier this week, the commander of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP)'s Florida Wing advised "News of the Force" that an incident involving alleged "inappropriate conduct" with several under-age female CAP cadets in South Florida by a senior CAP officer had been reported and was under investigation.
"I can't tell you the exact details of the investigation or give you any names, because the incident is under investigation, but I can tell you that the CAP officer involved has been suspended and an investigation has been initiated by the Wing IG (inspector general)," Col. Chris Moersch said. "So, if you hear about it, it's being taken care of."
And that's where we left it...there really was nothing to report, and an allegation is only that - it does not mean anybody is actually guilty of anything.
There was nothing to report, that is, until late Tuesday night. And just as Col. Moersch predicted, we did hear about it. A CAP officer in South Florida contacted us. The officer's name is being withheld because the officer requested anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the press. Here's what this officer told us:
The officer told "News of the Force" that Lt. Col. Nick Sacco was caught in bed with an underage CAP cadet named Jenna McCord. Apparently this girl is over 18 now and isn't in the CAP any longer, but the allegation is that they were caught in bed during a Cadet Special Activity when she was still under the age of 18.
We asked the reporting person (RP) if that person knew how we could contact Jenna McCord; We were told the reporting person have to try to find and address or phone number for her and would get back to us. The RP did, however, tell us that Jenna's dad is a police officer who apparently was never told of the incident.
Another CAP officer named Caesar Carbana personally witnessed this incident, but the RP did not know if Carbana ever reported it to anybody. But, since the reporter says that Carbana is some kind of officer of the courts, and her dad is a police officer and didn't know, it's therefore likely that Carbana never reported the incident.
There are apparently two cadets or former cadets who knew of Sacco's "indiscretions." Their names are Jenny Jay and Justin Slope. About a year ago, NOTF heard something of this and was able to contact Jenny Jay's parents, who refused to tell us how to reach her. It's our understanding that she's now a student at the University of Central Florida. Her parents also refused to discuss the CAP with us - apparently they were planning, at least at that time - a civil litigation against the CAP.
Carbana, the RP said, is the officer-in-charge of cadet programs at the Florida Wing's Ft. Lauderdale Composite Squadron.
The RP also told us that at a Group 6 Cadet Leadership School session, a CAP officer named Tony Barroso asked Nick Sacco about some of these alleged incidents with CAP cadets. We were told Barroso was the Group 6 vice commander at the time.
The RP also told us that Mike Cook, who is about to be formally installed as the new CAP Florida Wing commander, knew about Sacco's "indiscretions," but took no action.
The RP apparently has what he calls "A letter from a concerned parent." He tried to e-mail it to us but our Adobe Reader could not read it; We've asked him to send it to us, either in a regular e-mail or by snail mail, and we're awaiting a reply. This letter, we're told, "names names."
Nick Sacco has a Facebook page and apparently has numerous "friends" that are female CAP cadets. We conducted a telephone interview with Sacco last year, when another such allegation against him surfaced. We advised him that as a group commander (at the time) that probably wasn't one of his better ideas. We told him that a lot has to do with "perception" in the CAP and the "perception" of having female cadets as friends on his Facebook page could cause some consternation with CAP authorities. We don't know if he took our advice on that. At that time, the story went nowhere, because we were unable to contact the alleged victim for comment, and then-Major Sacco vehemently denied the allegation. We were unable to do a story then because we could not obtain any real proof.
Meanwhile, however, Sacco still has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nicksacco, but his page is nearly blank. The page reads: "Nick only shares some profile information with everyone," and his friends' are not now listed and their photos are not shown.
Yesterday, NOTF received a copy of an e-mail apparently sent on Friday, Feb. 25, to both Col. Moersch and Lt. Col. Mike Cook, by Tony Barroso. Here's the copy of that e-mail:
From: Antonio Barroso Date: Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 10:41 PM Subject: FW: Cadet Protection Violation - Fort Lauderdale Comp Sq To: cmoersch@cap.gov, mncook@flwg.gov
"Gentlemen,
"I was forwarded the following e-mail by my deputy commander moments ago, I never received this email directly (I find that strange). I will delineate the events of that night to illustrate what happened versus what is being alleged by the following e-mail.
"To recap, I was notified by Capt. Corey Hamilton on Friday 18FEB11 around 1630, that his cadet (Casey Martin) notified him that his "girlfriend" (Jenna Walters) had some comments made to her by Lt. Col. Sacco last year. He apparently waited over a month before reporting this to his senior members at Coral Springs Cadet Squadron. I immediately notified the Wing commander and his deputy and the wing legal officer about this matter and was ordered to go to the CTA (Cadet Training Academy). I called both cadet's squadron commanders and asked them to have the cadets parents show up and be present during the interview process since they were under 18 years of age.
"I was called by the Wing Commander around 2000 with the wing legal and deputy wing commander on the line and told by him that he spoke to national counsel and he was told that based off the report that there was not enough to suspend the member and that I needed to have Lt. Col. Sacco depart the event as soon as possible until this issue could be resolved. I was also told to speak to the cadets mentioned above and gather information about this possible incident. I called my deputy group commander to inform him of the basic issue (no specifics) that there was a CPPT issue against Lt. Col. Sacco and that he needed to go home until it was resolved.
"I showed up around 2115 at the CTA location in Ft. Lauderdale and introduced myself to the parents and explained the situation. We then proceeded to speak to the cadets and ask pertinent questions about the reported comments made by Lt. Col. Sacco. We spoke to cadet Walters first and after some questions were asked we then spoke to cadet Martin who reported the comments made to him by Walters. He basically reiterated what Walters had told us she told him. Other people mentioned by Walters as being present when the comment was made are former cadet members of the squadron that frequently visit. She also said that in addition to Martin, that she told the same story to cadet Amelia Cheshire, her close friend within the Ft. Lauderdale squadron she belongs to. Cadet Cheshire was not spoken to that night because her parents were not there and she was under 18. I then had both cadets in separate rooms write down the same information they had told us and collected them. I proceeded to speak to Lt. Col. Sacco and informed him that he needed to leave the event as he was involved in a CPPT issue and while he was not suspended he was being asked to leave. He wanted to talk to me in private so he left and told me where he was going to be. I went back to speak with the parents and assured them that Lt. Col. Sacco was leaving. We spoke for a few moments about the issue and then I departed the CTA around 2300 hours.
"I went to the location where Lt. Col. Sacco was (a local restaurant), and he basically vented to me about work and personal issues, none of which is relevant to the issue at hand. After talking to me, he seemed to be less apprehensive, but I did impart to him that this matter was serious as it required me to show up for the purposes of asking him to leave and he would have all the facts once the proper authority on this matter felt it was time to release it.
"I spoke to Lt. Col. Cook on Sunday the 19th to explain what occurred and then asked for a letter or e-mail directing me to do what I had been verbally told to do since the 123 series of regulations stated that I should have one. I spoke to Col. Moersch on the Tuesday the 22nd and requested the same letter, he stated that it was not required and that a simple e-mail directing the interviews would suffice. I received the e-mail from him noon today (25FEB11).
"At 2145 I received a phone call from my deputy commander, Maj. John Clark, informing me that he received an e-mail copied to him (see below). I told him that I haven't seen any e-mail. He forwarded it to me and I immediately proceeded to forward it to all of you.
"Please advise what action needs to be taken by me. I will have the information collected on the 18th for you in a separate e-mail I will submit tomorrow. Antonio J. Barroso, Lt. Col., CAP, Group VI, FLWG, Commanding."
News of the Force has exclusively obtained an e-mail report that could be said to have started it all:
From: Hans Hage Date: Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 9:42 PM Subject: Cadet Protection Violation - Fort Lauderdale Comp Sq To: impact217@hotmail.com
"Lt Col Antonio Barroso, CAP, Commander, Group VI, Florida Wing,
"Lt Col Barroso,
"It has come to our attention that Lt. Col. Nicholas Sacco, of the Fort Lauderdale Composite Squadron, has made inappropriate advances towards a female cadet, Jenna Walters, who is also a member of the Fort Lauderdale Squadron, which occurred at the Group 6 Cadet Training Academy during the first hours of the activity.
"This is not the first time he has been suspected of inappropriate cadet relations, as CPPT charges were brought against him prior. It is to our knowledge that he was texting, or "sexting," this cadet while you were at the very same activity.
"Upon hearing notification of the incident you told Lt. Col. Sacco to immediately leave the activity. While asking him to leave the activity was the right thing to do, we have found that Lt. Col. Sacco has yet to be suspended and no investigation taken place as of yet. When Cadet Walters was questioned about whether she would feel comfortable about Lt. Col. Sacco returning to the squadron, she said she would be "uncomfortable" about his return.
"It has been a full week since the incident has happened and we feel that this issue is fast becoming a "cover up." According to CAPR 52-10, CAP Cadet Protection Policy (11 January 2006), "Reporting Requirements. Senior members, cadets, and parents/guardians should immediately report incidents of observed or suspected abuse to the unit commander or commander at the next higher level of command. Whenever a commander has received a report of abuse, suspects that abuse has occurred or may occur, or believes there is an appearance of impropriety in the nature of cadet abuse by a member of CAP, the commander will immediately suspend the member from CAP and will report the abuse as follows: Section 1, Paragraph a, "Sexual abuse is defined as sexual molestation, touching, contact, exposure, suggestions, or other incidents of a sexually oriented nature. The unit commander will immediately notify the wing commander who will immediately notify the wing legal officer, and the General Counsel (at 334-546-2906 during business hours or the National Operations Center (NOC) at 888-211-1812 after hours, weekends, and holidays) or the Executive Director (at 334-834-2236). No investigation will be conducted nor statements taken until specifically directed by the General Counsel. The General Counsel will notify the region commander, the National Commander, other appropriate officials, and state agencies as required."
"This was apparently not accomplished, as we can see that Lt. Col. Sacco is still an active member, as noted on e-Services.
"Rest assured, sir, that if nothing is done about this incident we will be forced to take matters into our own hands and see that the deserving individuals, who did not act upon this, are brought to justice.
"The fact that Lt. Col. Sacco lives with the Fort Lauderdale Squadron commander adds an additional complexity to this issue.
"Anticipating your immediate and prompt attention to this matter, Concerned CAP Members."
And, in response to our further questioning of the Florida Wing commander, Col. Moersch said, "Let's let the investigation take its course. I'm sure that the appropriate actions will be taken."
According to another source who spoke to *NOTF *on the customary condition of anonymity, "Chris Moersch and Mike Cook knew about the group commander who was a pedophile preying on young girls in CAP - they ignored or covered up the fact that a pedophile was in charge of an encampment and other wing activities and did nothing.
"Cadet Jenna McCord complained to her squadron commander, George Navarini, that Nick Sacco was sexually harassing her. George complained to Mike Cook and Chris Moersch, who quashed the investigation and took Navarini out as commander. Nvarini is someone who opened a squadron and in two years was the number 1 squadron in the Florida Wing, then they drummed Navarini out of CAP.
"So, Nick Sacco puts Cadet Jenna McCord on the group staff.
"Nick Sacco was at Special Activity Selection Board and was found in bed with a cadet and nothing was done. Cesar Carbana saw Nick Sacco and Cadet Jenna McCord in bed together. Cesar Carbana reported it to Margarita Mesones, who talked to Mike Cook and Chris Moersch, and nothing was done about it.
"Nick Sacco tried to get a cadet female drunk and have sex with her. The complaint was filed by Jenny Jay and her boyfriend, Justin Sloate. But because of the IG asking acutely personal questions, the cadet recanted and dropped out of the CAP.
"So, Nick Sacco tries to seduce or get drunk his female targets, whether or not the cadets have boyfriends or not. It's common knowledge about Group 6 that Sacco has certain favorite cadets - such as Amanda Lenardson.
(When we checked Lt. Col. Sacco's Facebook page last year, Amanda Lenardson was listed on his page as his "friend," along with her picture.)
"Nick Sacco left the Group 6 command to be in charge of cadet programs with the Ft. Lauderdale Composite Squadron. The commander of the Ft. Lauderdale squadron is John Samonas - he's roommates with Nick Sacco. Who got Samonas his job and gave him a place to stay as well as commanding the Ft. Lauderdale Composite Squadron?
"Nick Sacco tried to seduce a female cadet just weeks ago at a group activity and the complaint went in, with Chris Moersch, Mike Cook and Mike Kaplan calling the group commander, Tony Barroso, telling him to "check it out." Not an investigation, just informal questions about what's going on. When the group commander arrived at the activity, he sent Nick Sacco home, didn't suspend him, just sent him home. So Barroso called Chris Moersch, who wasn't available, then he called Mike Cook and was told Tony Barroso was told to 'keep a lid on this.' Tony Barroso asked for a letter of indemnification because this was a CPPT investigation. They ignored him. NOTHING has happened.
"What I do know is that for the past 4 years there has been a cover-up from the top down with Chris Moersch, Mike Cook, Valerie Brown, Margarita Mesones and Nick Sacco. If Jim Rushing did not know, then he is a fool and brain dead, if he did know, then he's complicit and should leave the organization.
(Col. Jim Rushing is currently the commander of the CAP's Southeast Region, which includes the Florida Wing, and Valerie Brown has recently issued a "good-bye" message as she is leaving the CAP, purportedly to "spend more time with my famliy.")
"There has been in the past years an overt cover-up of Nick Sacco by the command staff of the Florida Wing and they knew and had foreknowledge that Sacco is a pedophile. Mike Cook, being in operations and deputy commander of the Florida Wing, knew, along with Chris Moersch, that this was going on and tried to keep a lid on it. How far is this going to go?"
Col. Chris Moersch, the only Florida Wing commander in recent memory to have completed a full term as its commander, will relinquish command of the wing to Lt. Col. Mike Cook at the annual Florida Wing Conference, next month.
Meanwhile, there's no evidence that any of these allegations have been reported to the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), or to local law enforcement, as is required by the Civil Air Patrol's regulations.
Civil Air Patrol officers are civilian volunteers, and are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
A telephone message left with CAP National Commander Maj. Gen. Amy S. Courter's voice mail seeking comment has not been returned as of press time.
The Civil Air Patrol is a private, congressionally-chartered corporation that acts as an Auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force when requested by the Secretary of the Air Force. Head-quartered at Maxwell AFB, Ala., its Web site is at www.gocivilairpatrol.com.
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