Former sub commander, who faked death to end affair, faces expulsion

Former sub commander, who faked death to end affair, faces expulsion
By MICHAEL MELIA
The Associated Press
Published: April 12, 2013

GROTON, Conn. — A former submarine commander who faked his death to end an extramarital affair knows he made a terrible mistake and has apologized, and the Navy shouldn't throw away his talent and training, his lawyer said Friday at a hearing to determine whether he will be expelled from the service.

A lieutenant acting as a prosecutor countered that there's no place in the Navy for a man with the character of Cmdr. Michael P. Ward II.

Ward, a married 43-year-old, sent his mistress in Virginia an email in July posing as a fictitious co-worker named Bob and saying Ward had died unexpectedly, a Navy investigation found. Ward was relieved of his duties aboard the USS Pittsburgh in August, a week after he'd taken command, and has received a letter of reprimand for adultery and other military violations.

A panel of three officers at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton will decide whether Ward should stay in the Navy and at what rank. A demotion could cost him up to $750,000 in retirement benefits.
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