The Naval Academy Cheating Scandal: Mikie Sherrill and Jason Hedberg’s Untold Story
Recent revelations have brought to light Democratic New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill’s connection to a significant cheating scandal at the U.S. Naval Academy in the early 1990s. Court documents obtained exclusively by The Post reveal that Sherrill’s husband, Jason Hedberg, was also implicated in what became one of the largest academic integrity violations in the academy’s history. The scandal, centered around a December 1992 electrical engineering exam, has resurfaced at a critical time in Sherrill’s campaign, with polls showing her tied with Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli less than six weeks before Election Day. This development adds a complex personal dimension to Sherrill’s candidacy, raising questions about transparency and integrity as voters prepare to make their decision.
The incident began when multiple midshipmen acquired and shared answers to a mandatory Electrical Engineering 311 exam administered to 663 students in December 1992. According to a CBS News “48 Hours” episode that later reported on the scandal, one student estimated that approximately 80% of test-takers had prior knowledge of the exam content. Academy officials quickly detected the breach and launched a series of investigations involving the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, disciplinary panels called Honor Boards, and the Office of the Naval Inspector General. The Naval Academy’s honor concept clearly states expectations for midshipmen: “They tell the truth and ensure that the truth is known. They do not lie… They ensure that work submitted as their own is their own… They do not cheat.” Following thorough investigations, 88 midshipmen were found guilty of participating in the exam’s dissemination, with 24 being expelled and 64 receiving lesser penalties including delayed graduation. The scandal represented a serious breach of the academy’s core values of integrity and honor.
Court documents show that Hedberg was among approximately four dozen midshipmen who sued top officials at the Naval Academy, Navy, and Pentagon in 1994, seeking to block an Honor Board from determining whether they should be dismissed. The lawsuit claimed students were “compelled to make inculpatory statements to Navy Inspector General investigators” and were denied due process. While specific details of Hedberg’s statements remain unclear, his name appears in the 1994 commencement program, suggesting he was ultimately cleared to participate in graduation ceremonies about three months after filing the lawsuit. This stands in contrast to Sherrill, who was reportedly barred from commencement. The legal challenge was eventually dismissed when a judge determined the students’ Fifth Amendment concerns were moot because “no proceeding of a ‘criminal’ nature is either pending or contemplated.” Interestingly, one of the federal attorneys representing the Navy and pressing to have the case thrown out was future U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.
Sherrill has offered a specific explanation for her punishment, telling the New Jersey Globe that she was barred from commencement ceremonies because she refused to “turn in some of my classmates.” However, this characterization has been challenged by sources close to rival campaigns, who claim no midshipmen were punished merely for protecting friends, but rather for lying to Naval investigators. While no evidence has emerged that Sherrill herself was disciplined for dishonesty with academy officials, questions remain about her full transparency regarding the incident. Her campaign has consistently rejected requests to release disciplinary records from her time at the academy, which would provide definitive details about her involvement in the scandal. When contacted by The Post, her campaign communications director Sean Higgins did not directly address the historical details, instead criticizing “MAGA Republicans” for “going after Mikie’s family” and condemning what he described as “illegal disclosure” of her military records.
After graduating from the Naval Academy despite the controversy, both Sherrill and Hedberg went on to serve their country—she as a Navy pilot and he as a Navy intelligence officer. They later married and raised four children together. Their personal resilience in moving beyond the academic scandal to build successful military careers and a family life speaks to their determination and commitment. However, the resurfacing of this chapter from their past introduces new complexities to Sherrill’s gubernatorial campaign at a crucial moment. The Emerson College Polling/PIX11/The Hill survey showing her tied with Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli suggests that New Jersey’s gubernatorial race—typically favorable to Democrats—may be more competitive than expected. No Republican has won this office since Chris Christie secured his second term in 2013, making the current polling particularly noteworthy.
The story of Sherrill and Hedberg’s involvement in the Naval Academy cheating scandal ultimately reflects the enduring consequences of youthful decisions and the challenges of public life when one’s past comes under scrutiny. While the incident occurred decades ago when both were students, it raises contemporary questions about judgment, accountability, and transparency that voters may consider relevant. The campaign’s reluctance to release disciplinary records has only intensified interest in understanding exactly what transpired. As Election Day approaches in New Jersey, voters will need to determine how much weight to give this chapter from Sherrill’s past as they evaluate her candidacy on its full merits, including her subsequent military service, congressional record, and policy positions. What remains clear is that even after thirty years, the decisions made during those formative academy days continue to resonate in unexpected ways.
