Navy investigating War College president over ethics claims: report

The U.S. Navy is reportedly investigating the president of the U.S. Naval War College over accusations of improper workplace conduct.

The Associated Press reported Friday that Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harley is under investigation after being accused in multiple complaints to the Navy’s office of the inspector general of improper hiring practices and other misconduct including keeping a margarita machine in his office.

{mosads}Sources told the news service that a complaint was first registered against Harley last year, accusing him of a “destructive and ethically challenged leadership style” that “is destroying the college.”

In a second email to the inspector general sent in January, the employees who filed the first complaint wrote that Harley’s use of alcohol on the job continued amid financial troubles for the school.

“The drinking continues. Morale is at an all-time low,” they wrote, according to the AP. “Your biggest concern should be, however, the financial situation at the college.”

Emails obtained by the AP revealed that the school faced a budget shortfall of millions of dollars while spending more than $700,000 on raises annually.

A Navy spokeswoman refused to comment to the AP on the investigation, citing its ongoing status.

Harley also declined to comment, according to the AP, but reportedly addressed the allegations in an email to students and faculty this week.

“That’s Navy business. But I think you’d be surprised to know that on any given day about 85 officers are under investigation,” Harley told the AP.

“All the decisions questioned in the allegations were subject to legal review either before or after the fact, and I believe that all of my decisions are within my authorities,” he added in the email to students and faculty.