A Pattern of Sexual Misconduct in the CIA

Donald Asquith, a long-serving CIA officer, was recently charged with misdemeanor assault and battery following an alleged incident in June 2023. The accusations came to light after an office party celebrating Asquith’s 50th birthday, where he allegedly groped a female CIA contractor and forcibly kissed her in front of colleagues. Despite her repeated refusals and attempts to leave, Asquith reportedly continued his advances, even asking for a “booby hug” before physically restraining and kissing her without consent.

This case has raised broader concerns about the CIA’s handling of sexual misconduct within its ranks. Notably, Asquith’s alleged assault occurred shortly after CIA Director William Burns announced reforms aimed at addressing sexual harassment and misconduct within the agency. These reforms followed years of complaints from female employees, with many accusing the agency of not only failing to protect victims but also silencing them through retaliatory actions. An internal watchdog report, which remains classified, further suggests systemic shortcomings in how the CIA addresses sexual misconduct.

In response to the incident, the CIA restricted Asquith’s contact with the victim, and he retired a few months later. However, his case is just one in a series of sexual misconduct allegations involving CIA personnel. For instance, another former CIA officer, Brian Jeffrey Raymond, is awaiting sentencing for drugging and sexually abusing multiple women, while other CIA staff face similar accusations.

CIA officer Raymond
CIA officer Brian Jeffery Raymond

The Shocking Crimes of Brian Jeffrey Raymond

Brian Jeffrey Raymond, a former CIA officer, was arrested and charged with a series of sexual assaults committed during his tenure with the agency. Between 2006 and 2020, Raymond is alleged to have drugged and sexually abused at least two dozen women, many of whom he met through dating apps such as Tinder. What made the case even more disturbing was that Raymond recorded his attacks on video and took photos of his unconscious victims. These files, recovered by authorities, played a critical role in building the case against him.

Raymond’s predatory behavior spanned his overseas postings, and investigators found evidence of his assaults in nearly 500 videos and photos. His victims often had no recollection of the events due to being incapacitated by drugs. Prosecutors in his case have described him as a serial predator whose actions caused immeasurable harm. The scale of his crimes and his position within the CIA have drawn significant attention, raising questions about how such behavior could have gone undetected for so long by an agency responsible for national security.

In 2024, federal prosecutors sought a 30-year sentence for Raymond, highlighting the severity of his offenses and the long-lasting trauma inflicted on his victims. His case is part of a wider reckoning within the CIA, which has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct involving its officers. The agency has been criticized for failing to act swiftly and decisively in addressing such cases, leading to calls for greater transparency and reforms to ensure the safety of all employees.

These are only two in a string of cases that have cast a spotlight on the CIA’s internal culture and its opaque handling of sexual assault cases. Despite public pledges to reform, the agency has faced increasing pressure from lawmakers and former employees to fully address these issues and provide transparency.