A former employee of Concerned Veterans for America (CVA), Kat Dugan, is assisting Senate Democrats in providing negative testimony about Pete Hegseth, who is nominated to be the defense secretary. Dugan, who worked with Hegseth while he was CEO of CVA, has contacted former colleagues, encouraging them to speak anonymously to the Senate Armed Services Committee. Dugan had a troubled employment history at CVA, leaving after receiving a poor performance review and filing for disabilities.
Shawn Pattison, a former CVA national field director, praised Hegseth's leadership, stating he improved the organization and its effectiveness in advocating for veterans' reforms. This context suggests the negative campaign against Hegseth may stem from personal grievances and could be viewed as a "manufactured media takedown," a claim supported by Hegseth and his allies.
Dugan has a track record of being involved in negative press about Hegseth, including an incident in 2018 when Hegseth's lawyer sent her a cease-and-desist letter, accusing her of making false claims. This letter came after an article was published, suggesting a toxic workplace under Hegseth, including allegations of heavy drinking and mishandling complaints.
The report included an account of a sexual assault complaint that Dugan claimed was indicative of a broader culture at CVA but did not involve Hegseth. The employee who made the complaint stated it was resolved internally and did not implicate Hegseth.
Recent media articles have revisited these themes, accusing Hegseth of promoting a misogynistic environment and mismanaging funds. A whistleblower report also claims he was often intoxicated at work.
Both Dugan and the writer of the previous article continue to oppose Hegseth. Dugan has encouraged former colleagues to contact the Senate committee while promising that their identities will be protected, indicating a strategy of confidentiality in their testimonies.
Hegseth supporters argue that Dugan's negative past with CVA undermines her credibility. Dugan's recent outreach efforts may question her motivations, given her brief tenure and the challenges she faced at CVA. Performance reviews from that time depicted her work as below average in comparison to peers.
Despite these controversies, Hegseth's supporters view him as a strong leader within CVA. The scrutiny surrounding Hegseth reflects a larger narrative of political and personal battles as he faces confirmation.
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