WASHINGTON — One of the most well-known Havana Syndrome victims has settled his lawsuit against the State Department over the alleged “campaign of discrimination and retaliation” he faced for $650,000, The Post has learned.
Mark Lenzi had sued the State Department in the fall of last year, alleging he faced retaliation for his campaign to blow the whistle on Havana Syndrome, a condition that numerous US personnel overseas have suffered from under mysterious conditions.
“This settlement is just the start — there are still 13 Deep State bureaucrats at the State Department responsible for retaliation and covering up evidence of these Russian pulsed microwave attacks,” Lenzi told The Post about the settlement.
“I will continue to work with Congress to hold these Deep State bureaucrats accountable.”
The settlement just included the payment and not any apology from the government.
Lenzi, who suffered from Havana Syndrome while serving the US in China back in 2018, claimed that he was forced to deal with “negative rumors about his management” that fueled workplace ostracization that impacted his health.
The State Department initially tried to dismiss the lawsuit, but a judge rejected that, paving the way for it to move ahead until the two sides began negotiating a deal.
While there are many unanswered questions about Havana Syndrome, Lenzi has theorized that the Russians used some sort of microwave device to attack US personnel overseas.
Earlier this year, bombshell reports emerged that the Department of War has been studying a device believed to be the culprit behind the ailment.
That device has been in the federal government’s possession for over a year, but is reportedly subject to an internal debate over whether it is the cause of Havana Syndrome.
Symptoms of Havana Syndrome include: fatigue, ear pain, memory lapses, migraine, cognitive issues, hearing loss, and dizziness. The symptoms vary from victim to victim.
Lenzi has spoken to numerous lawmakers on the issue and has given an interview on CBS News’ “60 Minutes” to help raise public awareness. He has expressed frustrations with Secretary of State Marco Rubio for his handling of the issue.
“I have invited him no less than six times to visit me and my doctors at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and he has stood by and done nothing,” Lenzi told The Post.
“Secretary Rubio was a real leader in the Senate on this issue and he needs to lead on this issue again as it is affecting morale at the State Department.”
When asked for comment, the State Department told The Post that its “priority remains the health and safety of all colleagues and family members who have been affected, both domestically and overseas.”
“We do not comment on internal personnel matters.”
Key lawmakers in Congress, such as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), have alleged that the intelligence community worked on a cover-up of Havana Syndrome.
