Recent activities Joseph L. Romano

1 recent activities

1.1 investigation italian authorities
1.2 deployment in iraq
1.3 transfer pentagon
1.4 promotion , assignment
1.5 pardon

recent activities
investigation italian authorities

image cia s surveillance of hassan mustafa osama nasr recovered during investigations prosecuting authority of milan

at time of hassan nasr kidnapping, romano commander of 31st security forces squadron stationed in aviano air base near venice. on june 27, 2005, made subject of europe-wide arrest warrant, centering on contentions of italian authorities in charge of security operations during kidnapping of nasr in february, 2003. subsequent formal transmission of arrest warrants eurojust judicial coordination office meant became effective throughout e.u. member countries, , romano , 22 other u.s. nationals named in warrant subject immediate arrest within respective jurisdictions. among evidentiary points cited in warrant, issued tribunale di milano, fact 1 of 4 subscribed numbers traced authorities having transmitted scene of kidnapping aviano assigned to, owned , used col. romano.

a formal indictment issued judge caterina interlandi on february 16, 2007. romano – military officer among 26 u.s. nationals indicted – has refused comment on allegations. “i have nothing say,” has said, referring questions “alleged incident i’m supposedly involved in” air force senior leadership , service’s public affairs office.

on november 4, 2009, romano, along 22 other americans, convicted in absentia in italian court alleged role in hassn nasr kidnapping. judge in case, oscar maggi, sentenced romano 5 years in prison. however, unlikely romano ever serve time. reacting verdict, pentagon press secretary geoff s. morrell stated our view italian court has no jurisdiction on lieutenant colonel (joseph) romano , should have dismissed charges. have not, will, of course, explore options have going forward . referring convictions, state department spokesman ian kelly stated disappointed verdicts against americans , italians charged in milan alleged involvement in case involving egyptian cleric abu omar .

deployment in iraq

romano commanded 586th expeditionary security forces squadron deployed camp bucca in december 2004. unit, activated in october 2004 , called 732nd expeditionary security forces squadron; in march 2005 unit renamed 586th expeditionary security forces squadron. unit assembled in 45 days , consisted of security forces personnel 17 bases representing every major command in air force. airmen performed 3 of army s traditional missions—detainee operations, patrolling duties, , convoy escort duties. in unusual move, airmen helped provide force protection army camp.

transfer pentagon

since 2005, romano has worked @ section 31p of pentagon. in august 2006, selected promotion colonel, of december 2006 still holding rank of lieutenant colonel.

promotion , assignment

as of 2009 promoted colonel , reassigned lackland afb, texas. romano given command of 37th training group of 37th training wing.

pardon

romano, through lawyer cesare bulgheroni, asked pardon.

on april 5, 2013, president of italy giorgio napolitano accepted romano s request, discharging him crimes related kidnapping allegations.