Timothy Michael "Tim" Giardina (born 1957) is a retired United States Navy officer and formerly the deputy commander of U.S. nuclear forces.[1][2] In May 2014, all charges associated with counterfeiting were dropped by the Navy, but he was fined and reprimanded for two specifications of conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman. The specifications included 1) not reporting exactly what valuables he found in a casino bathroom when he initially reported finding valuables to casino management and 2) lying to an Iowa investigator in the casino when questioned about the incident. As a result of being suspended pending resolution of the ongoing investigation, Giardina reverted to the rank of rear admiral[3]
Timothy M. Giardina | |
|---|---|
 Giardina in 2011 | |
| Born | 1957 or 1958 (age 66–67) |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1979–2015 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands |
|
| Awards | |
Navy career
editGiardina graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics.[4]
Counterfeit poker chips
editIn June 2013, Giardina was caught using three counterfeit gambling chips in a Council Bluffs, Iowa, casino.[5] Giardina was investigated by the Navy and suspended from duty in September 2013. Later investigation revealed that someone had altered several $1 chips into $500 chips with adhesive tape and paint. It was further alleged that Giardina would spend approximately 15 hours a week on occasion playing poker.[6] In May 2014, he was found guilty of two counts of "conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman." He reverted from vice admiral to rear admiral, was removed from his position as deputy commander at Strategic Command, and was given a staff officer position in Washington, D.C.[7]
References
edit- ^ Liewer, Steve (February 20, 2014). "Ex-StratCom deputy commander says he regrets not defending himself over fake poker chips". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- ^ Burns, Robert (November 22, 2014). "Admiral fired as second in command of U.S. nuclear forces allegedly made his own counterfeit $500 poker chips". National Post. Toronto. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
- ^ "Rear Admiral Giardina Receives NJP". United States Navy Office of Information. May 5, 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
- ^ "Rear Admiral Timothy M. "Tim" Giardina". United States Navy. Archived from the original on August 15, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2014 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ Burns, Robert (November 22, 2014). "Gambling admiral linked to fake poker chips". Navy Times. Springfield, Virginia. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ Walters, Joanna (November 22, 2014). "Navy admiral fired over gambling accused of making fake poker chips". The Guardian. London.
- ^ Smith, Alexander (May 6, 2014). "Ex-Navy Nuke Chief Timothy Giardina Guilty on Gambling Charges". NBC News. Retrieved January 12, 2017.
- Telegraph Group, "Senior admiral uncovered as fake chip gambler," Dominion Post (Wellington, New Zealand), November 25, 2014
External links
edit- "Rear Admiral Timothy M. "Tim" Giardina". United States Navy. May 19, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
