COLORADO SPRINGS — The former commander of Fort Carson’s hospital, Col. John McGrath, was removed from command because he regularly made brusque, “cringe-inducing” comments to his subordinates, according to newly released Army documents.
A 400-page investigation of McGrath, obtained by The Gazette through the Freedom of Information Act, shows there were no overt accusations of sexual misconduct or illegal reprisal by the commander of Evans Army Hospital. Instead, the report reads a bit like an episode of “The Office,” with the oblivious boss constantly making inappropriate comments.
Upon meeting an attractive nurse, McGrath allegedly said, “I see how you got your rank,” according to the report.
He asked another employee if he met his wife at a strip club.
During another encounter with a female employee, he asked where her husband was.
“He’s deployed,” she said, according to the report.
“So does that mean you’re out partying?” McGrath allegedly said.
When a female officer arrived at the hospital morning meeting with newly dyed blond hair, McGrath allegedly announced to the 20 people in the room, “Look who joined us, Voldemort.”
McGrath was suspended in August after the investigation began. The investigation concluded in October that McGrath should not be reinstated as commander because “his continual barrage of inappropriate comments and sexual innuendos degrade the command climate and morale.”
An Evans Army Hospital spokesman said McGrath no longer works at Evans and is instead “serving in an administrative position with another organization on Fort Carson.”
McGrath, a doctor with 29 years in the Army, took command of the hospital in January 2012. In a written response to the investigation, he either denied or said he could not remember making the inappropriate actions.
“I do not recall making that comment,” he said of the Voldemort quip. “And cannot imagine a tie between a middle-age bald, noseless wizard and a female officer.”
McGrath could not be reached for comment.
Interviews with 46 members of hospital staff and their spouses generally showed a man who made brusque or sarcastic remarks that many interviewees said may have been attempts at humor but instead insulted or intimidated subordinates.
“I think he thinks what he is saying is funny,” one employee told investigators. All names were redacted in the report.
