Vice Adm. Tim Giardina has been suspended as deputy commander of the Bellevue-based U.S. Strategic Command, StratCom officials confirmed Friday.StratCom's commander, Gen. C. Robert Kehler, suspended Giardina in early September from all duties that include oversight of nuclear materials or nuclear issues, or that require a security clearance, said Capt. Pamela Kunze, a StratCom spokeswoman. She said Kehler also recommended to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that Giardina be reassigned to another command.
Giardina is being investigated by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Officials say Giardina is suspected in a case involving counterfeit gambling chips at the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, according to the Associated Press. DCI agents stationed at the Iowa casino discovered the chips, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation special agent David Dales said. He would not say when the discovery was made or how much in counterfeit chips was found, only that "it was a significant monetary amount."