A general fired for a “swinger” sex scandal kept his security clearance until USA Today made the story public, Army officials acknowledged on Wednesday.

The married Maj. Gen. David Haight was removed from his post directing plans and operations for the Pentagon’s European Command after an internal investigation in April found that he misused his government email and cell phone to conduct an 11-year affair amid allegations of a “swinger lifestyle.” However, USA Today reported Wednesday that he kept his classified information clearance for five more months after the Army inspector general reached those conclusions.