WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense officials say the head of U.S. European Command has been cleared of misconduct after a lengthy Pentagon investigation into travel and spending questions that derailed his chances last year of becoming the Navy's top officer.
Officials say a Pentagon inspector general's report alleges that Navy Adm. James Stavridis failed to exercise enough oversight of his staff and made record-keeping and reimbursement mistakes, including trips he took that included family members. Stavridis is also the top NATO commander.
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus reviewed the report and concluded that Stavridis did not misuse his office or use his position for personal gain. Mabus attributes most of the 10 allegations to accounting errors that Stavridis corrected.
Officials discussed the investigation on condition of anonymity because it has not yet been released publicly.
