Former Nuke Commander Reprimanded in Counterfeit Poker Chips Case

WASHINGTON (Associated Press) — The Navy says the admiral who was fired last fall as the No. 2 commander of U.S. nuclear forces has been reprimanded and fined for violating the military's code of conduct but allowed to remain on duty as a Navy staff officer.

A Navy criminal investigation failed to determine with certainty how Rear Adm. Timothy Giardina obtained counterfeit poker chips that he used last summer at a casino in Iowa. At the time, Giardina was serving as deputy commander of U.S. Strategic Command in Omaha, Neb., with responsibility for nuclear forces.

In a brief statement, the Navy said Giardina on Monday accepted what the military calls "non-judicial punishment," rather than opting to challenge the letter of reprimand and the $4,000 fine by requesting a court-martial.