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n 2008, the Chief of Staff for the Air Force punished 19 senior officers for their alleged involvement in two separate incidents involving nuclear weapons. Attorney Mike Coco defended one of those senior officers. His client had received a Letter of Reprimand for his alleged part in an incident in which nuclear fuses were sent to the country of Taiwan. Mike and his client worked tirelessly to put together a package that would eventually convince the Chief of Staff that the client’s involvement was only tangentially related to the event. After receiving the client’s response to the Letter of Reprimand, the Chief of Staff decreased the severity of the punishment to a Letter of the Admonishment. Our client went on to continue his Air Force career and stave off any potential officer grade determination at retirement.
Senior Officer Action
Attorney Mike Coco defended an 0-6 military member in a case in which his adopted teenage son alleged sexual abuse. During the Article 32 hearing for this case, cross-examination of the complaining witness ferreted out motives to fabricate this testimony and prior instances of lying. This resulted in the Investigating Officer “strongly” recommending the case not go to trial. The convening authority did not send the case to trial, and the client was allowed to retire in grade.n 2008, the Chief of Staff for the Air Force punished 19 senior officers for their alleged involvement in two separate incidents involving nuclear weapons. Attorney Mike Coco defended one of those senior officers. His client had received a Letter of Reprimand for his alleged part in an incident in which nuclear fuses were sent to the country of Taiwan. Mike and his client worked tirelessly to put together a package that would eventually convince the Chief of Staff that the client’s involvement was only tangentially related to the event. After receiving the client’s response to the Letter of Reprimand, the Chief of Staff decreased the severity of the punishment to a Letter of the Admonishment. Our client went on to continue his Air Force career and stave off any potential officer grade determination at retirement.