The Wagons Circle as NJ’s Top Military Commander Resigns

Governor Chris Christie and Major General Glenn Rieth (Governor Photos/Tim Larsen)

Major General Glenn Rieth, a prominent member of Republican Governor Chris Christie’s Cabinet and a childhood friend, will retire effective Dec. 15. 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 according to government officials.

Major General Glenn Rieth (NJ National Guard)

Officials familiar with the issue say the 54-year-old Rieth, who is married, and the aide were caught in his office last month touching each other. The officials spoke only on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the matter.

I was told that Democrats on the legislative Military and Veterans Affairs Committees would not be commenting due to the sensitive nature of the matter. Despite calling press aides well before 5pm today, I was told Republican members of the panels simply couldn’t be reached. Phone calls to Rieth’s office were not returned.

Governor Chris Christie did release an emailed statement which reads:

“Last week General Glenn Rieth offered his resignation as Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs which I accepted. He has served the State of New Jersey and the United States Army for over 30 years and will be retiring effective December 15. I thank General Rieth for dedicating his career to his state and country, including nearly 10 years as New Jersey’s Adjutant General. 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.”

Christie was close to Rieth because they were raised in Livingston and their families knew each other. That’s a point Christie emphasized in January 2010, when he announced that he was keeping Rieth in the position.

The woman also is married and lives just a few miles away from the Rieth and his wife; the couples knew each other socially.