LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A local video company and seven Navy Seals are involved in a major national military scandal, it was revealed Thursday.
According to an investigation by CBS News, Electronic Arts (a company with an office in Playa del Rey) hired seven Seals — all members of the famous Seal Team Six — and paid them as consultants on their recently-released game, “Medal of Honor: Warfighter.”
Amanda Burden, reporting for CBS2 and KCAL9, said Electronic Arts paid the Seals to consult on the video but the Navy believes the Seals revealed classified material. That move she says is against the Navy’s motto of “honor, courage and commitment.”
It is alleged the Seals worked for the company for two days this spring and summer.
She reports the Seals now face stiff punishment for accepting the gig.
At least one of the Seals was involved in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden. “Warfighter” does not involve that particular raid, however.
Burden reports that Electronic Arts often hires members of the Armed Forces — both retired and active duty — as consultants. But the Navy draws the line at revealing actual secrets.
In a statement, Rear Admiral Garry Bonelli says, “We do not tolerate deviations from the policies that govern who we are and what we do as sailors in the United States Navy.”
He added, the punishments “send a clear message throughout our force that we are and will be held to a high standard of accountability.”
The seven Seals all remain on active duty but have received letters of reprimand. Those letters, according to CBS News, will impact the Seals’ chance for promotion. Moreover, Burden says they will have half their pay withheld for two months.
Four other members of Seal Team Six also remain under investigation for their possible role in the scandal.
