In yet another case of widespread military sexual misconduct, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey A. Sinclair has been accused of sexual assault by an army captain and military intelligence officer. Sinclair is the former deputy commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. About two years ago, prior to the revelation of these sexual assault accusations, he was assigned to southern Afghanistan as a deputy commander to the American forces and was highly regarded in the Army.

The captain, under oath, stated that the 3-year affair started in Iraq and consisted of casual sex at first. The sexual assaults came later, including brutal incidents such as oral sex and threats to kill the woman if she revealed their affair. She described the affair as affectionate at times and thought that it was important to Sinclair. However, it was unsteady and became scarier. She confessed to being compelled by Sinclair to do oral sex during 2011 while in Afghanistan, even when she attempted to withdraw.

The captain also disclosed that Sinclair seized her throat and shoved her against the door after opposing the general's sexual advances in 2010. She admitted to telling the general that she wanted to meet his wife, but he threatened to kill her and her family. Because she was scared of being doubted and/or expelled, the captain did not bring the matter to authorities.

Richard L. Scheff, Sinclair's lead lawyer, told reporters that the captain's testimony is "made up" and completely different from the loving words she wrote about Sinclair in her diary. Ellen C. Brotman, a member of the defense team, claimed that the captain was disappointed at Sinclair's lack of commitment to divorce his wife.

Before the opening of the trial last Thursday, the general plead guilty to reduce the charges. The charges consist of ownership of pornography and adultery and can face up to 15 years of imprisonment and discharge from the military.

Lt. Col. William Helixon, the lead prosecutor, resigned from the case last month after admitting that the captain's testimony last January was fabricated. This was later denied by army officials who said that Helixon was under extreme personal stress.

The cross-examination will continue on Monday morning and will include questions regarding an iPhone that was used to speak with Sinclair.

The larger question at stake here is whether the Pentagon will be able to exert the necessary measures to root out sexual assault in the military.

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