The deputy commanding general, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton faces sanction after a new report questions the way he used his personal aide while in Iraq.
The Inspector General office of Department of Defense issued a report that became public in July, stating Brig. Gen. Rick Uribe misused a subordinate while in Iraq. Among the incidents listed in the 50-page report, Uribe required his aide to write personal letters, bring him meals and pick up his laundry. The general led U.S. forces in Iraq from May 2016 to June 2017.
According to the report, the Marine officer told the Inspector General’s office that “I only did personal matters” for the general in Iraq.
The aide performed a wide range of personal tasks, including standing next to gym equipment to keep it free for the general's use. The aide changed bed sheets, including after the general was ill. When they traveled, the aide carried a bag of snacks and other personal items.
The aide was asked the handle the printing and sale of a T-shirt. The aide also spent hours locating a particular toothpaste preferred by the general.
The inspector general concluded Uribe violated Joint Ethics Regulation and recommended his superiors take action. The acts are considered personal tasks, outside the scope of the aide’s official duties.
Uribe was also sanctioned for accepting a gift of chocolates and coffee, valued at $150, from a junior officer in his command.
In his response, Uribe attributed some of the requests to the hurried pace of operation in Iraq. He told investigators that the report overstates some of the requests for laundry and housekeeping.
Uribe had just been elevated to brigadier general prior to taking command in Iraq. At the time, the Marines were working with the Iraqi Army to retake Fallujah from ISIS.
Prior to Iraq, Uribe headed the Marine Corps Inspector General office. He is now deputy commanding general with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton.
