Mikie Sherrill seems to have some inconsistencies in her narrative.
The Democratic gubernatorial candidate from New Jersey has altered her story regarding her connection to a notorious cheating scandal at the US Naval Academy in the 1990s, leading to skepticism from her peers.
“I’m not convinced, and several classmates have contacted me regarding this,” stated Brent Sadler, a 1994 graduate from the academy and a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, to The Post.
Last month, Sherrill admitted that she did not attend her class’s graduation ceremony and asserted that the reason was her refusal to expose some classmates.
“There was an exam at the academy that had been compromised. I was unaware that it had been stolen when I took it. Afterward, I was aware of the rumors and knew some individuals implicated. I chose not to disclose that information,” she explained at a recent event.
However, after her debate against Republican contender Jack Ciattarelli last week, Sherrill seemed to imply that she indeed provided information to the authorities.
“There were numerous classmates who cooperated with investigators. When I spoke to them, I shared what I knew,” she told reporters after the second debate when inquired about her statements.
The campaign did not respond when The Post requested clarification on whether Sherrill eventually informed on her peers.
The New Jersey Globe, which originally reported her prohibition from attending the graduation, noted that there were whispers during her 2018 congressional race about her involvement in the scandal, and it had been “suggested” to them “at the time that Sherrill was not implicated.”
Sherrill has declined to release her complete disciplinary record, which could clarify her situation further.
A source involved in the Naval Academy’s cheating scandal investigation expressed doubts about Sherrill’s account. “There would have to be more details,” the source remarked, considering the punishment she received.
Sadler, who authored an op-ed voicing his concerns over Sherrill’s Naval Academy background earlier this month, believes she appears to be attempting to obscure the truth.
He also raised inquiries about whether Sherrill faced further disciplinary action from the prestigious institution.
The academy’s “honor concept” dictates that midshipmen must “not lie, cheat, or steal.” Sadler argued that midshipmen are required to report any violations of this code; otherwise, they are equally guilty.
He contended that her public acknowledgment of not coming forth with information connected to the cheating scandal resembles a breach of the honor concept.
In lieu of expulsion, a program called honor remediation is available to address such violations, which involves tasks like writing reflective essays on their wrongdoing.
“The remediation could require writing a letter to the [academy] superintendent expressing regret and acknowledging their lessons learned,” the investigative source explained regarding the remediation process. “It’s quite insincere.”
Sherrill has a 254-day gap after her graduation during which she remained at Annapolis.
The campaign indicated to The Post that she was merely awaiting an opening in flight school during that timeframe.
However, this explanation is also facing scrutiny.
“It doesn’t make any sense to me,” Sadler pondered, questioning how Sherrill could have been barred from walking without facing further consequences.
“Only one cohort related to the double E scandal did not graduate with their class but received their commission later due to honor code remediation.”
Sherrill’s campaign refutes this assertion, clarifying that she was on temporary duty following graduation.
The cheating scandal garnered widespread attention in the 1990s, centering around a December 14, 1992, exam for Electrical Engineering 311, a notoriously challenging required course for non-engineering majors.
Of the 663 cadets who partook in the exam, 88 were found guilty, as reported by the Washington Post at the time. Among the guilty, around two dozen faced expulsion, while at least 64 received milder penalties, including delayed graduation.
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“We had a strong awareness of who had access to the exam based on their answer sheets,” noted the investigative source, emphasizing the main hurdle of the investigation was persuading students to confess to cheating.
When directly asked if Sherrill participated in honor remediation, among other inquiries, her campaign redirected focus onto Ciattarelli.
“Jack Ciattarelli is making a desperate attempt to defame Mikie Sherrill,” said communications director Sean Higgins. “He is caught up in a scandal after profiting from publishing misleading information about opioids and developing an app to instruct patients on obtaining Hydrocodone.”
Ciattarelli’s campaign announced last week that they will sue Sherrill after her serious accusations during last week’s debate that he had “contributed to the deaths of tens of thousands” through his publishing company’s material, which included content minimizing the dangers of opioids.
