Navy reassigns War College leader pending probe

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The head of the U.S. Naval War College was removed from his post Monday, days after the Associated Press reported he was under investigation amid allegations of mismanagement.

The Navy announced the reassignment of Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harley, who has been criticized for allegedly spending excessively, abusing his hiring authority and otherwise behaving inappropriately — including keeping a margarita machine in his office.

Lt. Cmdr. Jacqueline Pau said Monday that Navy leaders felt the change is best for the college and to maintain the integrity of the investigation. Pau, the spokeswoman for Adm. John Richardson, the chief of naval operations, said it would ensure that Harley is afforded due process.

Provost Lewis Duncan has temporarily assumed the president’s duties at the college located on Narragansett Bay in Newport.

Harley later announced his departure to campus by saying he was “stepping down.”

“Team—this will be my last email to you,” Harley wrote. “Due to the distractions caused by the unfounded AP article last week, I am stepping down as President of YOUR college effective immediately.”

Asked to clarify, college spokesman Cmdr. Gary Ross said Monday that Harley was reassigned to Washington and had not resigned.

Harley had earlier told the AP the college was under fiscal strain because the Navy hasn’t fully funded new missions.

Emails obtained by the AP show the college has struggled to make payroll under Harley’s leadership and spent about $725,000 annually on raises while facing an annual shortfall of $5 million or more.