Report: Death of Army Sgt. in Mali Triggers Probe of SEAL Team 6

Military investigators have launched an internal audit and investigation of SEAL Team 6 stemming from the death in Mali of an Army Green Beret who reportedly discovered that members of the elite were stealing money from operational funds used to pay informants, The Intercept reports.

The online news publication quoted three unnamed sources as saying the new probe is looking into whether "such thefts are a routine practice among the members of the elite counterterrorism unit." The SEALs, who were in Mali to gather intelligence and provide training, have denied stealing any money.

Army Staff Sgt. Logan Melgar, 34, was found dead on June 4 in embassy housing in the Malian capital, Bamako, The New York Times reported last year. He was taken to a medical clinic, where he was pronounced dead.

Initially homicide investigators were looking into whether Melgar died of alcohol-related causes, but a medical examiner's report found he had been strangled — and had not been drinking that night.

Investigators were looking into claims that two SEAL Team 6 members, identified as Anthony DeDolph and Adam Matthews "choked out" Melgar. No decision has been made on whether to prosecute DeDolph and Matthews, who have denied both choking Melgar and stealing cash, the Intercept reported.

The online news site quoted a "longtime Special Operations consultant" as saying Melgar told the SEALs he was going to report them for stealing money.

The Intercept said "several" former members of SEAL Team 6, claim that some members of the unit have stolen money over the years.

"The system is ripe for abuse," a former SEAL Team 6 leader told the Intercept. "We knew this money wasn't being tracked, and guys were stuffing their pockets."

• SEAL Choked Green Beret, Witness Reportedly Claims
• SEALs Under Suspicion in Green Beret's Death