thedrifter
03-27-08, 07:31 PM
Marine Faces Disciplinary Action For Accepting Gift
Hialeah Serviceman Gets $10,000 From Businessman
POSTED: 5:49 pm EDT March 27, 200
HIALEAH, Fla. -- A Hialeah military officer who served 18 years in the United States Marine Corps has been relieved of duty and could face court-martial after receiving a gift from a local businessman.
First Sgt. William Barnes and his wife, Tammie, were guests aboard a luxury yacht last December. South Florida businessman Tom Gonzalez and Local 10's Care Force invited Barnes and three other United States Marines for an evening to show appreciation for their service.
Gonzalez said he wanted to do something fun for the Marines. "I think they contribute so much to our country and our freedom and for
us it feels good," said Gonzalez at the event.
Barnes and the other Marines had no idea that in addition to being guests on a $35 million yacht, the Allure owner had even more plans in store for them.
After a gourmet dinner and dancing under the stars, Gonzalez and his wife, Kimberly, invited the Marines to the main deck for one more surprise.
Gonzalez told them to reach in a bag and pick a prize. Barnes reached in and pulled out several $100 bills, which ended up totaling a $10,000 prize.
Local 10 reported that Barnes and his wife used the money to catch up on bills and to pay for his father's funeral.
But no one told Barnes that taking the money was against policy. A few weeks ago, he learned he was under investigation, and on Wednesday, he was relieved of duty.
The Marine Corps has policies on gift giving, and the rules vary depending on a Marine's rank and assignment, but Tammie Barnes said he wasn't aware that accepting the gift was illegal.
"For 18 years he has an outstanding record. He's never done anything wrong. Had he known that it was wrong, he would never have taken it," Tammie Barnes told Local 10.
Ellie
Hialeah Serviceman Gets $10,000 From Businessman
POSTED: 5:49 pm EDT March 27, 200
HIALEAH, Fla. -- A Hialeah military officer who served 18 years in the United States Marine Corps has been relieved of duty and could face court-martial after receiving a gift from a local businessman.
First Sgt. William Barnes and his wife, Tammie, were guests aboard a luxury yacht last December. South Florida businessman Tom Gonzalez and Local 10's Care Force invited Barnes and three other United States Marines for an evening to show appreciation for their service.
Gonzalez said he wanted to do something fun for the Marines. "I think they contribute so much to our country and our freedom and for
us it feels good," said Gonzalez at the event.
Barnes and the other Marines had no idea that in addition to being guests on a $35 million yacht, the Allure owner had even more plans in store for them.
After a gourmet dinner and dancing under the stars, Gonzalez and his wife, Kimberly, invited the Marines to the main deck for one more surprise.
Gonzalez told them to reach in a bag and pick a prize. Barnes reached in and pulled out several $100 bills, which ended up totaling a $10,000 prize.
Local 10 reported that Barnes and his wife used the money to catch up on bills and to pay for his father's funeral.
But no one told Barnes that taking the money was against policy. A few weeks ago, he learned he was under investigation, and on Wednesday, he was relieved of duty.
The Marine Corps has policies on gift giving, and the rules vary depending on a Marine's rank and assignment, but Tammie Barnes said he wasn't aware that accepting the gift was illegal.
"For 18 years he has an outstanding record. He's never done anything wrong. Had he known that it was wrong, he would never have taken it," Tammie Barnes told Local 10.
Ellie