Navy Vice Admiral Tim Giardina, the second officer in charge of handling all U.S. nuclear-based forces, has been suspended for using fake poker chips at the Horseshoe Council Bluffs Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Giardina had been under surveillance since June and is being investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigation Command.
After the allegations were brought up, Air Force General Robert Kehler suspended Giardina from his post on September 3 and prohibited him from performing duties at the Offutt Air Force Base outside of Bellevue.
“Obviously the nature of the allegations, as well as the person we found out was possibly involved in this, led us to go ahead and contact the authorities at Offutt,” said Special Agent David Dales, part of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Dales continued, “[This investigation] deals with alleged violations of the law when it comes to patrons playing in a poker game… As far as the state’s investigation, we’re simply leaving ours open for now… We haven’t filed any charges.”