Naval Lt. Commander Faces Court-Martial for Rape

Lt. Commander Donald Clause faces a court martial at the Washington Navy Yard next week on rape charges. Clause allegedly raped a civilian co-worker last June 29 and is also charged with adultery, sexual harassment and conduct unbecoming an officer. Clause allegedly sexually harassed the woman repeatedly between June 19 and the end of July, creating a hostile work environment and violating a 1993 Navy order against sexual harassment.

According to a Baltimore television station, genetic tests link Clause to the victim's three-month-old baby, allegedly the result of Clause's rape of the woman in his office. Clause, on active duty since May 1983, could be dismissed from the Navy, jailed, fined and forced to forfeit pay if convicted.

Media Resources: The Nando Net and the Associated Press - May 23, 1996

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