24 Midshipmen in Cheating Scandal to Be Expelled

Navy Secretary John H. Dalton has decided to expel 24 midshipmen in the cheating scandal that has rocked the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy, service officials said Thursday.

However, those expelled will not be required to repay the costs of their government-funded education, officials said. The costs have been estimated at $57,000 each.

Dalton, a graduate of the academy, also has decided to allow two other midshipmen to return to the academy to face discipline “short of separation” from the Navy, a Navy statement said.

The cheating scandal sullied the reputation of the academy, which produces about half of the Navy’s officers.

Several weeks ago, the Pentagon concluded that 71 midshipmen were involved in cheating on a 1992 electrical engineering exam and decided that 29 should be dismissed.

Those not dismissed were allowed to finish the school year and graduate, but faced other disciplinary actions.

Last week, three of the 29 were spared expulsion, leaving 26 cases remaining for final determination by Dalton.

None of the midshipmen were identified by the Navy.

“This has been a very difficult decision to make, but in my judgment it is both fair and just. We must strive to maintain a spirit of honor and integrity within the naval service,” Dalton said in a written statement. “I am committed to fairness.”

Dalton said he had looked at each case separately, as had the former chief of naval operations, Adm. Frank B. Kelso, and a variety of other officials.

“Each individual case was . . . evaluated on the specific circumstances of that midshipman’s actions, including the serious nature of the offenses and all information concerning the midshipmen’s involvement,” Dalton said, adding that each student had been given an opportunity to provide information on his own behalf at each level of the case review.