The Navy SEAL captain who was fired Wednesday from his command of Navy Special Warfare Group Eight had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in January, according to court records.
The Virginia Beach court records show that Capt. Richard Zaszewski was arrested Jan. 19, 2024, for driving while intoxicated, or DWI, with a blood alcohol content between 0.15% and 0.2%. The legal limit is 0.08%.
Naval Special Warfare Command, which oversees Navy SEAL teams, announced that Zaszewski was relieved of command Wednesday for a “loss of confidence in his ability to command,” making him at least the second Navy commander to be relieved over drinking and driving this year.
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A Navy official wouldn’t comment on why the relief took place more than two months after the arrest but did confirm that the two were related.
Navy Times was the first publication to report the charge.
According to the court records, the charge is considered a misdemeanor, and this is Zaszewski’s first DWI. He was released on his own recognizance following the arrest.
Military.com reached out to Robert Morecock, Zaszewski’s attorney, but did not immediately hear back.
Court records show that Zaszewski’s next court hearing is set for May 15, and it does not appear that he has entered a plea in the case.
Typically, firings over arrests move much…
