A retired general pleaded guilty Wednesday to eight charges involving sexual improprieties with the wives of subordinates, becoming the highest-ranking Army officer to be court-martialed since 1952. Maj. Gen. David Hale, who was allowed to retire honorably in February 1998 after the allegations became public, entered his plea in exchange for a reduced sentence. His case led to new retirement rules after complaints from some congressmen that his retirement represented a double standard when people of lower rank were court-martialed for alleged sexual misconduct. Hale, 53, entered pleas to seven counts of conduct unbecoming an officer–including having four improper relationships with the wives of subordinates–and one count of making false official statements. The maximum possible sentence was 11 years in prison, loss of his $75,000-a-year pension and dismissal from the service.
