Major General Christopher Finerty, former Air Force legislative liaison, was investigated and subsequently demoted and retired due to a series of inappropriate relationships with multiple women, violating military law. The Air Force Inspector General’s report, released publicly, details Finerty’s misconduct, which included extramarital sexual conduct, fraternization, and conduct unbecoming of an officer. These violations stemmed from relationships with an enlisted airman, a married Department of Defense civilian employee, and three Congressional staffers.
The report uncovered a pattern of inappropriate behavior, beginning in 2020 with sexting exchanges with a subordinate enlisted airman. While physical contact was not established, Finerty admitted to engaging in sexually explicit conversations and using demeaning language towards her, a clear breach of military regulations. This incident foreshadowed a series of further transgressions, demonstrating a lack of judgment and disregard for the ethical standards expected of a high-ranking officer.
Finerty’s inappropriate conduct extended to relationships with Congressional staffers while serving as the head of the Air Force’s legislative affairs office. He engaged in sexually suggestive communications with three different staffers, some of which occurred during work hours and involved the exchange of explicit images. The nature of these relationships raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and favoritism, given Finerty’s influential position and the staffers’ roles in shaping legislative decisions impacting the Air Force. The IG report underscored how these relationships compromised the integrity of the Air Force’s interactions with Congress.
The report highlights the gravity of Finerty’s actions by detailing specific instances of his misconduct. One exchange involved a suggestion that he and a staffer share a bed on a work trip to save government funds, demonstrating a blatant disregard for professional boundaries. Finerty’s defense that he was unaware of any explicit prohibition against personal relationships with civilian government employees was ultimately dismissed by investigators, who noted that witnesses expressed concerns about the negative optics and potential for conflicts of interest.
Adding to the list of transgressions, Finerty engaged in a sexual relationship with a married DoD civilian employee in 2022-2023. Although he claimed to believe she was divorced, the investigation revealed text messages contradicting his assertion, confirming he knew her marital status. This constitutes a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which prohibits extramarital affairs with knowledge of the partner’s marital status. This further illustrates a pattern of deceitful behavior and a willingness to disregard the ethical and legal boundaries expected of an officer.
The culmination of these inappropriate relationships and Finerty’s attempts to downplay their significance led to his demotion from Major General to Brigadier General and subsequent retirement in November 2023. The Air Force IG report concluded that Finerty’s conduct was far below the standards expected of a general officer, brought disgrace upon himself, and undermined his standing as both an officer and a gentleman. His actions not only tarnished his personal reputation but also cast a shadow on the integrity of the Air Force.
