Lady Luck dumps US nukes chief

By day Vice Admiral Timothy Giardina was one of the US Navy's most senior figures - as deputy head of US Strategic Command he was No2 in the chain of command of America's nuclear arsenal.

But by night, at the Horseshoe Casino, Iowa, he was known as Navy Tim, a heavy gambler who was accused of making his own $500 poker chips and was eventually banned from the casino.

He was relieved of his duties last year but the reasons are only now becoming clear.

Documents released after a Freedom of Information Act request depict him as an habitual poker player, spending 15 hours a week at the Horseshoe's tables in the 18 months before he was caught playing three phoney chips in June 2013.

He was reduced from three-star to two-star admiral and fined $4000 in pay.