Army Probes Internet Ladies' Man 'Kassanova'

[Lilith]

submitted by dadaist


By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army said on Wednesday it was investigating a 50-year-old colonel who allegedly proposed marriage to dozens of women he contacted using Internet dating services.

Col. Kassem Saleh, a married man derisively referred to as "Kassanova" by some of the American and Canadian women he allegedly wooed on the Web, met many of them through an Internet site that arranges dates for tall men and women.

"I was one of the recent conquests," one woman, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters. "All of the ladies involved are extremely professional, intelligent women. They are not little dummy housewives or bumpkins from the woods. That's how good he was."

She added, "You have to take people at face value. So whether you meet them on the Internet, at a bar or at church, whatever, they are either ethical or they are not."

Saleh recently led reconstruction and humanitarian efforts for the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan and now is stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

"There is an investigation under way. The command is aware of the allegation against Colonel Saleh," said Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Fletcher, a spokesman for the Army's 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg.

Fletcher said it was unclear what possible violations of the law or military rules Saleh may have committed. "We've got to wait for the investigation to be completed to see if there is any truth to the allegations. Right now, it's just their word against his," Fletcher said.

A group of the women issued a statement saying they had given information to investigators, adding that they were not after vengeance or financial gain but "it is about justice."

The New York Times on Wednesday reported Saleh used the Internet from 1998 until earlier this year to romance at least 50 women aged 33 to 57. One woman said he called himself the "Warrior Monk" because he had not had sex in a decade while awaiting the perfect mate, the Times said.

The paper quoted women as saying they met Saleh using Internet sites like www.tallpersonals.com., which boasts: "When it comes to love, dating and romance on the Internet, we think you are going to be pleasantly surprised and very happy you found Tall Personals!"

The Times quoted women who had seen Saleh as saying he was about 5 feet 10 inches tall.

[Steph]

I read that in the Times last week. Man oh man, Internet dating gone wrong! He actually sent engagement rings to some of them. What a tool!

[dadaist]

He's since released a statement/apology, which has been carried by the press, and a copy of which is sitting in Lilith's inbox. ;)

[Lilith]

Colonel Who Proposed to Dozens Apologizes



FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Through his lawyer, an Army officer accused of proposing to dozens of women has apologized for his behavior, but at least one of his alleged victims say that's not enough.

Col. Kassem Saleh, stationed at Fort Bragg, is under investigation by the Army over allegations that he simultaneously romanced dozens of women on the Internet and by phone and proposed to them. But Saleh's lawyer said about 30 women are conspiring to unfairly get him kicked out of the Army.

"He is sincerely apologetic," Fayetteville lawyer Mark Waple told The New York Times in a story Saturday. "He didn't intend to harm them in any way. But enough is enough."

Waple didn't return a phone call Saturday from The Associated Press.

Saleh, 50, has been in the Army for 29 years and is the primary staff officer for the civil affairs section of the 18th Airborne Corps. He returned to Fort Bragg in May after leading reconstruction and humanitarian operations in Afghanistan.

The Times reported earlier that Saleh had been in contact with and proposed to women from throughout the United States and Canada. The newspaper said he met the women through various Internet personals sites.

Robin Solod of New York, one of the women allegedly duped by Saleh, said of his apology: "It's too little too late. That's definitely not sufficient for the betrayal, the deceit. He stole my heart."

Waple said he did not believe Saleh had committed a crime.

"Although hurting someone's feelings is not a good idea, it's not a crime," he said.

Waple said the women had mobilized into an "Operation Bring Kass Down" and, in some cases, were exaggerating the circumstances to gain attention or attract movie or book deals.

Saleh, who has declined to be interviewed, is at worst guilty of a technical violation of Army regulations regarding conduct unbecoming of an officer, according to Waple.

Waple said Saleh had been separated from his wife since 1998 and that the two planned to divorce.