HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Navy investigators say the commanding officer of a Connecticut-based nuclear submarine faked his own death to end an affair with a woman.
Navy Cmdr. Michael P. Ward II was relieved as commanding officer of the USS Pittsburgh last month. He had taken command of the submarine a week earlier.
Investigators found Ward sent his mistress an email from a fictitious person named "Bob" stating Ward had died. The report was obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, a submarine group spokeswoman in Groton, Conn., said Ward was found guilty of Uniform Code of Military Justice violations including dereliction of duty. He received a letter of reprimand.
Details of the affair were first reported by The Day of New London.
