Source: Maj. Gen. Glenn Rieth, a prominent member of Gov. Chris Christie's cabinet and a childhood friend, will step down on Dec. 15
Gov. Chris Christie looks on as Major General Glenn Rieth, commander of the New Jersey National Guard, speaks in this 2010 file photo. Today, Rieth, a longtime friend of the governor, resigned amid charges he had inappropriate relations with a woman who worked under him.TRENTON — Maj. Gen. Glenn Rieth, who commands the New Jersey National Guard, is resigning over an inappropriate relationship with a civilian aide, according to a state government official with knowledge of the situation.
Rieth will step down on Dec. 15 after almost a decade as the state's top military official.
Gov. Chris Christie, who has known Rieth since childhood, announced the general's resignation this afternoon without delving into specifics.
“I thank General Rieth for dedicating his career to his state and country," Christie said in a statement. "This is obviously a difficult time for his family and General Rieth did the right thing by stepping down to address this as a personal matter.”
But a state official, who was not authorized to speak on the record about the matter, described the events leading up to today's announcement.
The official said the married Rieth, 54, reported the inappropriate relationship with a female subordinate to the governor's office at the beginning of November. After an internal examination, he offered his resignation last week, and Christie accepted it, the official said.
The Associated Press, which first reported Rieth's resignation, said the general and his aide were "caught in his office last month touching each other."
Reith and his spokesmen did not immediately return messages requesting comment.
Rieth was appointed by then-Gov. James E. McGreevey in 2002. He was later reappointed by Gov. Jon Corzine and Gov. Chris Christie.
In his position, Rieth also oversees the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.