One month ago, U.S. Navy Commander Michael Ward II was assigned to administrative duties while Navy officials investigated whether or not Ward had faked his own death. This week, a Navy report has surfaced that indicates Ward did indeed send an email to his mistress stating that he had died. The report was obtained by the Associated Press (AP) through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The New London Day reported on August 14th that Ward, who has a wife and children, had been having an affair under the guise that he was separated. When he was named commander of the USS Pittsburgh, he sent his mistress an email from a fictitious co-worker named Bob. The email stated that Ward had died, but the woman didn’t believe it. When she showed up at Ward’s former residence, she was informed that Ward had moved to Connecticut for his new position. She then turned over the email and other evicence to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).

The AP reports that on September 5th, Ward was found guilty of Uniform Code of Military Justice violations. A Navy spokesperson stated Ward has received a letter of reprimand for the violations, which include adultery, unbecoming conduct, and dereliction of duty.

(Photo Courtesy the U.S. Navy)