Admiral Forced to Retire Over Sex Harassment

A Navy admiral and senior commander in Europe has been demoted and forced into early retirement after being found guilty of sexually harassing a subordinate with whom he had a yearlong affair.

Rear Adm. Ralph L. Tindal, deputy commander of NATO forces in Spain and Portugal, was found guilty of adultery, fraternization, conduct unbecoming an officer and sexual harassment, according to a Navy spokesman.

Tindal, 55, was demoted from his post, given a punitive letter of reprimand, told to pay a fine of $7,868, equivalent to a month’s pay, and was placed under house arrest for 30 days, the spokesman said.

After he heard of his punishment, Tindal requested early retirement. The spokesman said the request was granted and that Tindal will be demoted one rank, meaning about a $600-a-month pension reduction.

The woman, believed to be in her 20s, has been ordered to undergo counseling but will stay in the Navy. An official said Tindal had had an intimate relationship with the woman, and when she tried to end it there were harassment incidents.