WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Navy admiral based in Naples, Italy, has been relieved of his duties and given a punitive letter of reprimand for having an alleged extramarital affair and lying about it, officials said.
The action was taken Monday against Rear Adm. Paul "Scott" Semko, commander of U.S. land-based naval air forces in the Mediterranean.The punishment was decided by Adm. James O. Ellis Jr., commander in chief of allied forces in Southern Europe, at an "admiral's mast," a nonjudicial proceeding, at Ellis' headquarters in Naples, according to U.S. Naval Forces Europe spokesman Capt. Stephen Honda.
Semko was relieved of his command but kept on Ellis' staff pending reassignment.
Honda said Ellis found that Semko had violated Article 133 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice by committing "conduct unbecoming an officer." Honda said Semko had an extramarital affair with a civilian and had made a false statement during the Navy's investigation.