A University ROTC sergeant is being investigated following reports of a prohibited relationship with a female cadet.
Battalion Commander Lt. Col. John Wright confirmed the ongoing investigation but said he could not identify anyone involved. He said an individual outside the ROTC program made the allegations.
The anonymous individual who made the accusations told The Daily Reveille that the official in question is Master Sgt. Wayne Lawrence, military sciences instructor and battalion sergeant major. The accuser said Lawrence began a romantic relationship with the cadet in April. The two constantly communicated via text messages and phone calls. Wright said he requested an outside investigation to see if the allegations were true, and if they weren’t, to clear the accused individuals.
Investigating Officer Cpt. Michael Leiva with Tulane University Army ROTC confirmed the outside investigation is still ongoing but said further information could not be provided at this time.
Wright said ROTC officials are not allowed to date students, and the situation could be “career-ruining.”
Army Regulation 600-20 Section 4-15a states unnecessary relationships between a training soldier and permanent personnel is prohibited. The cadet is no longer under Lawrence’s command but is still under his instruction in class, Wright said, claiming the evidence has not yet been credible enough to consider suspending the officer.
When The Daily Reveille spoke with Lawrence on Tuesday, he declined to comment on the matter, saying his lawyer would be in contact at a later date. The cadet did not respond to The Daily Reveille’s request for comment as of Wednesday.
 
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Contact Brian Sibille at [email protected]