N.J. National Guard leader resigns over a dalliance

TRENTON - The longtime commander of New Jersey's National Guard is resigning after being caught having a physical relationship with a woman who works for him, government officials told the Associated Press on Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Glenn Rieth and the aide, both of whom are married, were discovered in his office last month touching each other, officials familiar with the matter said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter.

Rieth, a prominent member of Republican Gov. Christie's cabinet and a childhood friend, will retire effective Dec. 15, the governor said.

"This is obviously a difficult time for his family, and Gen. Rieth did the right thing by stepping down to address this as a personal matter," Christie said.

Rieth, 54, has commanded the National Guard for nearly a decade. He was appointed by Democratic Gov. Jim McGreevey.

According to officials, Rieth reported the incident with his aide to the governor early last month and said it was being reported to the Army. He offered his resignation less than two weeks later, one of the officials said.

The woman lives just a few miles from Rieth and his wife. She and her husband knew the Rieths socially.

As commander of the state National Guard, Rieth leads more than 9,000 soldiers and airmen. He also oversees the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and all state veterans' programs, commissions, and facilities in New Jersey. Rieth's wife, Linda, has long played a prominent role at National Guard functions.

Rieth had a blemish-free record and was well-respected, a reason four governors kept him on.

Christie was especially close to Rieth because they were raised in Livingston, just outside Newark, and their families knew each other - which Christie made a point of noting in January 2010, when he announced he was retaining Rieth.

"I thank Gen. Rieth for dedicating his career to his state and country, including nearly 10 years as New Jersey's adjutant general," Christie said.

Before being appointed adjutant general of New Jersey in 2002, Rieth was director of the State Army Aviation Office for the New Jersey Army National Guard. He attended the Citadel military college of South Carolina and has been in the military since 1980.