U.S. deputy nuclear commander relieved of duty amid gambling probe

Tim Giardina, deputy commander of U.S. nuclear forces, has been relieved of his duty pending an investigation of his gambling behavior at an Iowa casino.

Giardina was reassigned from the Strategic Command to the Navy staff, as the Naval Criminal Investigative Service is conducting a probe into the allegations that he used counterfeit chips at the casino, media reports said.

The move was taken on the recommendation by Robert Kehler, top commander of the Strategic Command, to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in September.

Both President Barack Obama and Hagel have approved the recommendation of reassigning Giardina.

The investigation of Giardina, who has served as the No. 2 officer at the Strategic Command since December 2011, originated from a local law enforcement investigation in Iowa in June, the reports said.

The case is unprecedented in the history of the U.S. Strategic Command, which controls all U.S. nuclear forces.