William Ward, the first head of the United States' Africa Command, is accused of spending hundreds of thousands in taxpayer money on personal expenses.

Ward's post made history in 2009, but a new report says the four-star general, in charge of drafting US military programmes on the African continent, repeatedly abused his position for personal gains.

Among the charges laid out against him are the use of public money for his personal travel and expenses, accepting Broadway theatre tickets from a military contractor, and requiring military staff to drive his wife around on personal errands.

Ward stands to lose hundreds of thousands from his pension and a permanent demotion.

Al Jazeera's Rosiland Jordan reports.