We have a brand new updated website! Click here to check it out!

Federal bureau to review Kansas Guard at adjutant’s request

Hensley

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The federal National Guard Bureau plans to investigate the Kansas National Guard at the request of the state’s adjutant general after an internal investigation found leadership problems.

The Kansas Guard on Friday released a memo from Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli requesting the review. The Guard also said it would not comment further until the review is completed.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reported this week that the internal investigation disclosed problems including instances of racism and enlistment document forgery. The two officers leading the internal probe concluded that the Kansas Guard suffered from “toxic” leadership.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is standing by Tafanelli.

The request for a federal review was dated Wednesday but was released after Kansas Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka said lawmakers should investigate if Brownback does not.

————-

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas Democratic leader says the state needs to investigate its National Guard after an internal investigation uncovered leadership problems that include instances of enlistment document forgery and racism.

Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka said Friday that if Republican Gov. Sam Brownback doesn’t look into the Guard, the Legislature should.

His comments came after The Topeka Capital-Journal reported the findings of the investigation. The Air Guard one-star general and Army Guard lieutenant colonel who led the probe separately concluded “toxic” leadership was damaging the Guard.

Brownback said Sunday he would “maintain full support” for Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli, whom he appointed in 2011 to lead the Guard. Tafanelli responded in an opinion page column submitted to the newspaper that the Guard works to “thoroughly and impartially investigate” wrongdoing.

Copyright Eagle Radio | FCC Public Files | EEO Public File