Timothy Giardina Explained

Timothy M. Giardina
Serviceyears:1979 - 2015
Rank:Rear Admiral
Commands:
  • Submarine Group 9
  • Submarine Group 10
  • Submarine Squadron 17
  • USS Kentucky
Awards:

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]

Navy career

Giardina graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics.[4]

Counterfeit poker chips

In 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

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Ex-StratCom deputy commander says he regrets not defending himself over fake poker chips. Steve. Liewer. February 20, 2014. January 12, 2017. Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, Nebraska.
  2. News: Admiral fired as second in command of U.S. nuclear forces allegedly made his own counterfeit $500 poker chips. Burns. Robert. November 22, 2014. National Post. Toronto. November 22, 2014.
  3. News: Rear Admiral Giardina Receives NJP. May 5, 2014. United States Navy Office of Information. 22 November 2014.
  4. Web site: Rear Admiral Timothy M. "Tim" Giardina. United States Navy. November 22, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070815020124/https://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=121 . August 15, 2007. Wayback Machine.
  5. News: Gambling admiral linked to fake poker chips. Robert. Burns. November 22, 2014. Navy Times. Springfield, Virginia. January 11, 2016.
  6. News: Navy admiral fired over gambling accused of making fake poker chips. November 22, 2014. The Guardian. London. Joanna. Walters.
  7. News: May 6, 2014. Ex-Navy Nuke Chief Timothy Giardina Guilty on Gambling Charges. Alexander. Smith. NBC News. January 12, 2017.