Admiral fired over improper relationship - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

Admiral fired over improper relationship

Rear Adm. Peter J. Williams was fired from his position and reassigned Thursday for having an inappropriate relationship and misusing government property, according to a statement released by the Navy.

Williams, the program executive officer for tactical aircraft programs, was sent to another position within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, following an admiral’s mast Thursday before Adm. Patrick Walsh, vice chief of naval operations.

Delores M. Etter, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, reassigned Williams.

Lt. Ryan Perry, a Navy spokesman at the Pentagon, said that during the mast proceeding, “it was determined that Williams had engaged in an inappropriate relationship and misused government property.” Perry said the government property was a cellular phone. He would not characterize the improper relationship. Williams is married.

Perry would not disclose further details pending the outcome of an investigation. Walsh called the mast hearing under Article 15 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which gives a commander authority to conduct such an immediate proceeding for misconduct.

“Adm. Walsh believed he had sufficient information to conduct an Article 15 hearing,” Perry said. “An individual notified the chain of command with credible concerns about an inappropriate relationship. The Navy takes such allegations seriously and began the investigation.”