Andrew Cox: Senior Space Force official still on job after wearing mankini and keeping sex toys in office

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In 2018, Cox wore a mankini, popularized by the 2006 film 'Borat.' Talking about it, a witness told investigators, “It was chartreuse green, and he brought it out into the main area. He [told us he] put it on in front of his wife and bent over and said, ‘Honey, how do you like this?’” In a 2019 incident during a meeting with subordinates, Cox reportedly opened the silver case and put it on the table in front of other employees. "When I turned around at one point, I saw the director had removed a pair of handcuffs and was dangling them in his hands," a woman told investigators. The woman, a contractor with the defense firm SAIC who worked with SSDP, reported the incident shortly afterward. Following this, Cox apologized about a month later, as per reports.

Cox was allegedly known to frequently make sexual remarks in the office, allegedly discussing male genital piercings and oral sex. He was also known to use the "That’s what she said" joke in the office, as per New York Post. The investigation report suggested, "Witness testimony about Mr Cox telling subordinates to search ‘Prince Albert’ on the internet, or [to] grab someone ‘by the balls and squeeze,’ give insight into the culture [he] fostered and encouraged."

One of the employees told investigators, "He has a leadership style where he likes to bring everybody in, kind of take the problem apart … and have lots of people in the room. When he’s not talking business, [he] is … acting like a 13-year-old boy." Another said, "Cox has done good things for this country — things that most people will never know about. I … want him there, just without the [character] issues."

Despite the investigation finding the complaints about Cox were allegedly true, he is still kept on his job with a six-figure salary, the Air Force Times reported, which further stated that Cox appealed the investigation's findings, resulting in the Air Force dropping three of the six allegations of misconduct against him, as per an Air Force letter sent to Rep Doug Lamborn. The letter said that a 30-day suspension was initially proposed for Cox, which was later cut down. However, he lost a bonus payment of $27K along with his nomination for an award with a cash prize of $40K. "The Air Force fully acknowledged the substantiated allegations of unprofessional conduct by Mr. Cox and its impact on the workforce and mission. The Air Force also acknowledged that Mr Cox had a spotless performance and conduct record. … The Air Force believes it took appropriate action in formally reprimanding Mr Cox," the letter said.

Who is Andrew Cox?

Cox began his career as a software programmer and integrator in the Defense industry. He joined government service in 1997 at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), serving in several engineering positions until becoming the Technical Director for the command. In 2006, Cox was assigned as Deputy Program Executive Officer, of Space Systems. In December 2008, he was appointed as the Director of the Communications Systems Directorate (COMM) at the NRO. Following this, he was appointed as Director of the Space Security and Defense Program (D/SSDP) in March 2013, according to NDIARMC.

Cox has received several awards including, the Presidential Rank Award, the Director of National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Award, and the Navy Superior and Meritorious Civilian Service Awards. He has also been recognized with the 2019 James V Hartinger Award and the 2018 General Jerome F O’Malley Distinguished Space Leader Award.