Who: Beth Jones, Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department
What: Jones told the Libyan ambassador that terrorists carried out the attack on Benghazi, a conversation she relayed to other senior department officials and Gregory Hicks, the top State Department official in Benghazi, in a Sept. 12, 2012 email. After Hicks inquired about the State Department’s claims, Jones began criticizing his management style. He was ultimately demoted.
Why it’s dim: Jones’ behavior smacks of an attempt to intimidate an eventual whistleblower from discussing the attack with investigators
Cure: Sunlight and bleach.
