The commander of a Navy unit in Brevard County has been relieved of duty over a slip-up in fundraising for a golf tournament last year; two of the event's sponsors were strip clubs.
The Navy said Tuesday that Capt. John Heatherington was no longer fit to command its Naval Ordinance Test Unit at Cape Canaveral.
Heatherington was relieved from his duties Tuesday by the director of the Strategic Systems Programs' vice admiral.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Navy said Heatherington's relief was due to "loss of confidence in Heatherington's ability to command, and for promoting an unprofessional command climate contrary to good order and discipline."
An investigation revealed the dismissal was due to raising money and sponsorships for a command-sponsored, off-duty event -- a golf tournament last November -- which was to help fund the Submarine Ball this spring.
The Navy said Heatherington failed to prevent members under him from wrongfully soliciting items of monetary value and accepting items of value from two adult entertainment clubs, as well as a government contractor doing business with the Department of Defense. That would be deemed a conflict of interest and not following guidelines.
Soliciting funds from the strip clubs wouldn't "be reflective of the Navy's core values," the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs said.
A temporary commanding officer, Capt. Kevin R. Brenton, has replaced Heatherington until a permanent replacement comes on board.
Another senior enlisted leader, Master Chief Petty Officer Eric Spindle, was also relieved of duty for similar reasons.
Heatherington's reassignment, according to the Navy, is pending. He was due to leave the NOTU later this year as part of routine reassignments.