Probable War Chief Is Investigated

WASHINGTON — Army Gen. Tommy R. Franks, who is slated to command U.S. forces if there is a war with Iraq, is being investigated by the Pentagon’s inspector general, defense officials said Monday.

However, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld issued a statement Monday night expressing his continued support for Franks.

“Investigations such as this are not unusual and properly are required whenever the office of the inspector general is made aware of an allegation,” Rumsfeld said. “Without commenting on the merits of the investigation, which is not yet before me, I want to emphasize that Gen. Franks has my full trust, respect and confidence.”

And in a separate statement Monday night, Franks said, “I am aware of the investigation and am cooperating with it.” He declined to respond to other questions provided to his office, saying, “It would not be appropriate to comment on the investigation until it is complete.”

Army Lt. Col. Gary Keck, a spokesman for the office of the Pentagon inspector general, confirmed the existence of “an ongoing investigation” of Franks, but also declined to provide any details.

Franks, 57, is chief of U.S. Central Command, which has its headquarters in Tampa, Fla. He was questioned by government investigators after being accused by at least one subordinate of committing several violations involving his wife, Cathy.

Specifically, one person familiar with the allegations said, it has been alleged that Franks allowed his wife to sit in on briefings involving highly classified material -- at which attendees are permitted only on a “need-to-know basis.”