Inside 500 Military Cases of False Allegations
IIn this eye-opening episode of Stories of Service, host Theresa Carpenter sits down with Mike Conzachi — an Army veteran, retired law enforcement officer, and private investigator whose work has peeled back the curtain on one of the most contentious issues in the U.S. military justice system: false allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Over the past decade, Mike has investigated more than 500 military cases, uncovering troubling patterns of political interference, mishandled evidence, and investigative shortcuts that have ruined innocent lives. His perspective challenges the “believe the victim” mantra, calling instead for a standard that seeks truth above all else.
GUEST BIO: WHO IS MIKE CONZACHI?
Mike’s career spans three arenas — military service, law enforcement, and private investigation. Enlisting during the Vietnam era, he requested infantry and airborne duty, serving with the elite 82nd Airborne Division. In law enforcement, he spent nearly 30 years in specialized investigative roles, from narcotics and gangs to homicide and homeland security. After a career-ending injury, Mike turned to private investigation, where he’s spent the last 10–12 years focused on military cases involving allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
🔍 Finding the “Why” Behind False Allegations: Mike’s investigative style mirrors that of NTSB crash examiners — working backward to uncover the human motivations behind accusations, often tied to divorces, custody battles, or personal vendettas.
📱 The Digital Evidence Gap: Military investigations routinely neglect digital forensics and fail to apply civilian legal standards when reviewing such evidence, undermining case credibility.
⚖️ Political Influence on Military Justice: Promotions for military officers require Senate approval — and a single senator can block advancement if sexual assault allegations aren’t sent to court-martial, creating pressure to prosecute regardless of evidence.
🏛️ The Role of the OSTC: The newly formed Office of Special Trial Counsel, active since January 2024, now decides whether sexual assault and domestic violence cases proceed to court-martial, removing that power from the chain of command.
🛠️ Reform Recommendations: Mike advocates for shifting from “believe the victim” to “seek the truth,” creating a Military Conviction Integrity and Accountability Unit, and bringing in seasoned outside investigators to improve objectivity.
WATCH FULL EPISODE HERE
This episode shines a light on the hidden flaws of military justice — flaws that, left unchecked, erode trust and destroy lives. With more than 500 cases under his belt, Mike Conzachi delivers a rare, data-backed perspective that challenges both the system and the culture behind it.
🔗 Learn more on false accusations within the military - https://www.theresatapestries.com/false-accusations
