(CBS/AP) A U.S. Army officer who investigated possible abuse at Guantanamo Bay after some guards allegedly bragged about beating detainees found no evidence they really mistreated the prisoners, military officials said Wednesday.

Col. Richard Bassett, the chief investigator, did not recommend disciplinary action against the Navy guards named by Marine Sgt. Heather Cerveny, who had said that during a conversation in September they described beating detainees as common practice.

In an affidavit filed to the Pentagon's inspector general, Cerveny — a member of a detainee's legal defense team — said a group of more than five men who identified themselves as guards had recounted hitting detainees. The conversation allegedly took place at a bar inside the base.

"The evidence did not support any of the allegations of mistreatment or harassment," the Miami-based Southern Command, which oversees Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in southeastern Cuba, said in a statement.

Investigators conducted 20 interviews with "suspects and witnesses," the Southern Command said. The statement did not say whether Bassett interviewed any detainees, including any of the alleged victims.

Bassett's findings were approved by Adm. James Stavridis, the head of the Southern Command.

The investigation began Oct. 13 and was expanded 10 days later to include a similar allegation from a civilian employee who recounted a conversation between a female guard and a male interrogator, according to the statement. Following Bassett's recommendations, Stavridis said a "letter of counseling" should be sent to the female guard who allegedly initiated a "fictitious account" of detainee abuse.

Meanwhile, CBS News has learned that a Defense Department plan to seek funding for a $100 million courthouse to try terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay has been put on hold.

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