Air Force Gen. John Hyten testified Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing to become the next vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs, strongly denying recently resurfaced accusations of sexual assault against a former female military subordinate, The Hill reported.
Hyten, who had been nominated by the administration in April to become  DOD’s second-highest ranking military officer, faced a subdued but tense environment in presenting his first public comments on the issue.
“I am intensely aware the allegations made against me concern one of the most serious problems we have in the military: sexual assault,” Hyten testified to the panel.
“It has been a painful time for me and my family, but I want to state for you and the American people in the strongest possible terms that these allegations are false,” he continued. “Nothing happened, ever.”
Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser has alleged that Hyten on numerous occasions made inappropriate sexual advances toward her when she worked for him in 2017, according to a Roll Call report Tuesday.
Hyten, who currently serves as commander of U.S. Strategic Command, may remain in limbo along with the Joint Chiefs vice chairman post until the Senate returns its traditional August recess in September.
Next month the post becomes vacant as current Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Air Force Gen. Paul Selva is set to retire Wednesday, the report said.
DOD photo by Lisa Ferdinando