B R O K E N T R U S T
How whistle-blowers and victims in the Alaska National Guard went unheard
Layout and design: Heather Bryant and Sarah Yu
Content: Jennifer Canfield
Editing: Alexandra Gutierrez and Jeremy Hsieh
Video footage courtesy George Kale/Alaska National Guard Public Affairs/DVIDS
A few months later, the National Guard Bureau’s Office of Complex Investigations released a 228-page report that found instances of fraud and sexual assault committed by Guard members and leaders. Guard members reported a hostile work environment in which favoritism, ethical misconduct and fear of reprisal were present.
During a press conference held to discuss the report, then-Gov. Sean Parnell told reporters, “I’m extremely frustrated and I’m angry it’s taken so long to get to the bottom of these issues. The Alaska Guard members deserve better.”
On this site, we’ve compiled numerous news stories, primary source documents and created a timeline of events. This information will be updated as coverage continues.
Details from the recently released documents indicate an environment of intimidation for those who tried to report the abuse.
DOCUMENTS
Email log 1 – Released Oct. 24, 2014
Certification of Michael Nizich – Released Oct. 24, 2014
2014 10 31 Production1 – Released Oct. 31, 2014
Privilege Log 10 31 2014 Part 1 – Released Oct. 31, 2014
Privilege Log 10 31 2014 Part 2 – Released Oct. 31, 2014Privilege Log 10 31 2014 Part 3 – Released Oct. 31, 2014
Part 2 – Released Nov. 1, 2014
Part 3 – Released Nov. 1, 2014
2014 11 01 OGNG Combined – Released Nov. 1, 20142014 11 01 OGNG2 Combined – Released Nov. 1, 2014
2014 11 02 OGNG Combined – Released Nov. 2, 2014
2014 11 02 OGNG Combined – Released Nov. 2, 2014
2014 11 03 OGNG Combined – Released Nov. 3, 2014
2014 11 04 OGNG Combined – Released Nov. 4, 2014OGNG 001548 OGNG 002133 PrivilegeLog – Released Nov. 4, 2014
OGNG 000718 OGNG 001034 PrivilegeLog – Released Nov. 4, 2014
OGNG 001035 OGNG 001547 PrivilegeLog – Released Nov. 4, 2014
2015-04-24_SOA_Combined – Released Apr. 24, 2015
Detailed log of records released by Walker [Excel file download]
An investigation into Army Guard recruiters accused of raping and having inappropriate relationships with new recruits began that year. Lt. Col. Jane Wawersik led the investigation, and eventually obtained a protective order against one of the recruiters accused of sexual misconduct. Master Sgt. John Nieves told his counselor that he had a “specific plan” to harm Wawersik. The Fort Richardson counselor took Nieves’ words seriously and contacted Wawersik.
In that first news story, Cockerham also revealed that a group of military chaplains had been telling Parnell about sexual assault and morale issues in the Guard since 2010.
In February 2014, a dozen Alaska National Guard members were charged in military court with sexual misconduct; five of them were recruiters. One month later, Parnell requested the National Guard Bureau to conduct an investigation into allegations of sexual assault and fraud.
In April, Parnell defended his response to four years of allegations about sexual assault in the Guard. He said that he’d talked to Maj. Gen. Thomas Katkus, the Guard’s top officer, about his concerns and that Katkus had assured him that the Guard has systems in place to protect members. Parnell would be forced to publicly defend his response several more times throughout the year as he campaigned for re-election.
The National Guard Bureau released its report four months later in September. The report found members lacked trust and confidence in leadership to effectively deal with sexual assault allegations. The same day the report was released to the public, Katkus was asked to submit his resignation. In the following weeks, several more Guard leaders would be “asked to resign.”
As more victims and whistle-blowers went public, Parnell’s response to the Guard situation was intensely scrutinized. His office was criticized for refusing to release documents and emails related to the Guard scandal. Eventually, two media organizations were successful in suing the now-former governor for the records, which were released just days before the election.
WHO’S INVOLVED
Photo courtesy Melissa Jones
Melissa Jones
Rosa Ralls
Anonymous victim
Chaplain Matt Friese/Photo courtesy DMVA
Chaplains
National Guard Bureau Office of Complex Investigations
Gov. Sean Parnell
Photo by Erik Hill/Alaska Dispatch News
Mike Nizich
Lt. Col. Jane Wawersik
Illustration by Josh Genuino/Anchorage Press
The Three-Headed Monster
Photo courtesy Tully Rinckey PLLC.
Matthew Tully
Creative Commons photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jim Greenhill
Brig. Gen. Thomas Katkus
Head of the Alaska National Guard and Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. Gov. Sean Parnell requested his resignation Sept. 4, 2014.
Photo courtesy Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
McHugh Pierre
Col. Timothy DeHaas
Photo courtesy Alaska Air National Guard
Col. Donald Wenke
Photo courtesy Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Brig. Gen. Catherine Jorgensen
Photo courtesy Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Col. Edith Grunwald
Chris Bydalek
Kenneth Blaylock
Courtesy Debra Blaylock
Debra Blaylock
Lt. Col. Joseph Lawendowski
Photo by Spc. John G. Martinez
Command Sgt. Maj. Clinton Brown
Lt. Col. Joseph Lawendowski’s supervisor and linked to Sgt. 1st Class Shannon Tallant as a personal friend.
Photo courtesy Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
Brig. Gen. Leon M. “Mike” Bridges
Acting adjutant general and commissioner of the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. Assigned after Katkus’ departure.
Sean Cockerham
The McClatchy reporter who first broke the story about an investigation into sexual misconduct in the Alaska National Guard.
Courtesy Linda Dunegan
Linda Dunegan
Courtesy Alaska House Majority
Nancy Dahlstrom
- Alaska National guardsman accused of embezzlement (AP, Oct. 21, 2011)
- Alaska National Guard unit being investigated for allegations of sexual misconduct (McClatchy, Oct 27, 2013)
- Alaska National Guard responds to allegations of sexual assault (APRN, Oct 30, 2013)
- French seeks info on Alaska National Guard sexual assault claims (KTUU, Nov. 5, 2013)
- Alaska National Guard on alert to address sexual assault complaints (KTUU, Dec. 24, 2013)
- Alaska National Guard members face accusations of sexual misconduct (McClatchy, Feb. 23, 2014)
- Feds investigate rapes in Alaska National Guard (McClatchy, Mar. 26, 2014)
- Gov. Parnell asking for investigation into National Guard sexual assaults (APRN/AP, Mar. 28, 2014)
- Investigation of Alaska National Guard sexual assault allegations underway (APRN, Apr. 2, 2014)
- Gov. Parnell Says He Took Immediate Action On Sexual Assault Allegations (APRN, Apr. 29, 2014)
- Major General Thomas Katkus Responds To National Guard Sexual Assault Allegations (APRN, May 1, 2014)
- Gov. Parnell waits 4 years to Act on Sex Crime Cases (Shannyn Moore, May 3,2014)
- Women who reported assaults got no response from the governor (Shannyn Moore, May 10, 2014)
- Bill Walker’s role in bringing the National Guard sexual abuse story to light (Amanda Coyne, May 17, 2014)
- Investigators Find No Cover-up at Alaska National Guard (APRN, May 21, 2014)
- General Katkus Resigns As Report Details Guard’s Failure In Addressing Sexual Assault (APRN, Sept. 4, 2014)
- Former Guard member sheds light on sexual assault allegations (KTVA, Sept. 4, 2014)
- Alaska Guard commander resigns over handling of sexual misconduct (McClatchy, Sept. 5, 2014)
- National Guard sexual assault victim speaks out (anonymous victim) (KTVA, Sept. 9, 2014)
- National Guard Sexual Assault Survivor Speaks Out (identified victim) (APRN, Sept. 11, 2014)
- Search Begins For New National Guard Leader (APRN, Sept. 12, 2014)
- Parnell turns to Arizona Guard leader in wake of OCI investigation (KTUU, Sept. 13, 2014)
- Alaska’s senators push plans to increase National Guard scrutiny nationwide (ADN, Sept. 18, 2014)
- Parnell names point person for National Guard reforms (ADN, Sept. 19, 2014)
- Locals rally to support sexual assault victims in Alaska National Guard (KTUU, Sept. 22, 2014)
- Parnell Asks Military Official To Resign (APRN, Sept. 26, 2014)
- After Long Delay, Governor Denies Record Request Into National Guard Response (APRN, Sept. 29, 2014)
- Parnell waited years to take direct action on National Guard misconduct (ADN, Oct. 1, 2014)
- Parnell On Defense Over National Guard Response (APRN, Oct. 2, 2014)
- Governor: More resignations likely in National Guard scandal (KTUU, Oct. 2, 2014)
- Generals spearheading reform in Alaska National Guard vow change (ADN, Oct. 3,2014)
- Soldiers react to Parnell’s handling of National Guard assault allegations (KTVA, Oct. 3, 2014)
- Don Young defends former rival, Parnell, on National Guard allegations (KTUU, Oct. 3, 2014)
- Two top Alaska National Guard officers fired, then re-hired one day later (ADN, Oct. 5, 2014)
- Alaska National Guard scandal adds pressure to election (NPR, Oct. 5, 2014)
- Parnell reaffirms authority of acting Alaska National Guard chief (ADN, Oct. 6, 2014)
- Colonel’s Military Honors Questioned In Wake Of Guard Scandal (APRN, Oct. 8, 2014)
- AK Public Media, ADN sue Parnell over records requests (APRN, Oct. 8, 2014)
- Retired Colonel Implicated In Guard Scandal (APRN, Oct. 8, 2014)
- New veterans group: Governor should not have awarded high military honors to National Guard officer who covered up sexual assaults (KTUU, Oct. 8, 2014)
- Commander Untouchable: A confidential military report sheds further light on rampant misdeeds within the Alaska National Guard (Anchorage Press, Oct. 8, 2014)
- Alaska National Guard Officer Recommended For ‘Other Than Honorable’ Discharge (APRN, Oct. 9, 2014)
- Troopers: National Guard colonel cleared of bear hunt allegation in 2009 (ADN, Oct. 9, 2014)
- Former Alaska National Guard member alleges fraud, forgery within the ranks (Dunegan) (KTVA, Oct. 9, 2014)
- National Guard whistleblower said he warned of illegal activities years before federal report (K Blaylock) (KTUU, Oct. 10, 2014)
- Parnell stonewalls Guard scandal and lawmakers refuse to act (ADN, Oct. 11, 2014)
- Chaplain’s timeline reveals Gov.’s knowledge of Alaska National Guard allegations (Anchorage Press, Oct. 14, 2014)
- Audit Of Alaska National Guard Launched (APRN, Oct. 15, 2014)
- The Three-Headed Monster: Newly revealed investigations detail Alaska Army National Guard recruiters behaving badly. Very badly. (Anchorage Press, Oct. 15, 2014)
- National Guard sexual assault and fraud investigations: group says Parnell is not doing enough (KTUU, Oct. 15, 2014)
- Anchorage Press: Leaked investigations detail ‘rampant sexual misconduct’ in National Guard (KTOO, Oct. 16, 2014)
- State senator wants hearing on National Guard problems (ADN, Oct. 16, 2014)
- National Guard documents detail chronic misconduct among recruiting leaders (ADN, Oct. 18, 2014)
- Acting Adjutant General: Alaska National Guard reforms are underway (ADN, Oct. 18, 2014)
- Parnell meets with Alaska National Guard members (ADN, Oct. 19, 2014)
- Military recruiters banned from Anchorage schools (APRN, Oct. 20, 2014)
- 3 National Guard officers fired, 2 for second time (ADN, Oct. 20, 2014)
- Two views of Parnell’s closed-door meeting with National Guard troops (Amanda Coyne, Oct. 20, 2014)
- APD chief: ‘many investigative activities’ related to Guard (KTUU, Oct. 20, 2014)
- Three Top National Guard Leaders Fired (APRN, Oct. 21, 2014)
- Military Recruiters Banned From Mat-Su Schools (KTNA, Oct. 21, 2014)
- Anchorage police considering new criminal cases involving National Guard members (ADN, Oct. 21, 2014)
- Parnell sheds new light on Alaska National Guard firings (KTVA, Oct. 21, 2014)
- Calls For Hearings Into National Guard Misconduct Continue (APRN, Oct. 22, 2014)
- Pro-Walker-Mallott group release ad featuring National Guard victim (Amanda Coyne, Oct. 22, 2014)
- Fairbanks schools won’t suspend recruitment (KTUU, Oct. 22, 2014)
- Alaska Public Media, ADN Reach Agreement With State Over Public Records Request (APRN, Oct. 23, 2014)
- General Allegations: Four years of public statements and private messages trace the arc of the Alaska National Guard scandal (Anchorage Press, Oct. 23, 2014)
- Alaska National Guard bans cellphones, then doesn’t (ADN, Oct. 24, 2014)
- Alaska National Guard recruiter fights accusations of misconduct (ADN, Oct. 25, 2014)
- What did he know? What did he do? We talk Guard misconduct with Gov. Parnell (KTUU, Oct. 25, 2014)
- State Begins Releasing National Guard Documents (APRN, Oct. 27, 2014)
- Anchorage School District, Military Take Steps Toward Lifting Recruiter Ban (APRN, Oct. 27, 2014)
- Alaska Public Media, ADN Take State To Court Over National Guard Documents (APRN, Oct. 29, 2014)
- Alaska National Guard recruiters file lawsuit, claiming privacy violations (ADN, Oct. 29, 2014)
- Military recruiters return to Mat-Su, but not Anchorage schools (KTUU, Oct. 29, 2014)
- In Years Prior To Investigation, Chaplains And Parnell Aide Submitted Guard Complaints To Governor’s Top Staff (APRN, Oct. 30, 2014)
- Judge rules state must comply with National Guard records request (APRN, Oct. 30, 2014)
- Former Parnell aide on the Alaska National Guard: ‘Something just didn’t seem right’ (ADN, Oct. 30, 2014)
- Op Ed: The Price of Whistleblowing by Linda Dunegan, Lt. Col., AKANG (Anchorage Press, Oct. 30, 2014)
- Video: Judge orders Alaska governor to release some National Guard docs (ADN, Oct. 30, 2014)
- Documents show deep role of governor’s staff in response to National Guard complaints (ADN, Oct. 31, 2014)
- Governor’s Office Releases Hundreds Of National Guard Documents (APRN/KTOO, Oct. 31, 2014)
- Video: Update from Alaska National Guard Senior Enlisted Leadership (Ak Nat’l Guard, Oct. 31, 2014)
- State Correspondence Details a ‘Deteriorated’ Nat’l Guard (APRN, Oct. 31, 2014)
- More National Guard Documents Released, Most Unresponsive (APRN, Nov. 2, 2014)
- New National Guard records release reveals ‘harsh’ email exchange of legislator (ADN, Nov. 2, 2014)
- Begich, Sullivan weigh in on National Guard scandal (KTVA, Nov. 3, 2014)
- Top Parnell Aide Outlines National Guard Response Timeline (APRN, Nov. 3, 2014)
- ASD head begins approving military recruiters’ return (KTUU, Nov. 5, 2014)
- Fresh perspective for Alaska guard soldier victimized in wake of rape (ADN, Nov. 8, 2014)
- Murkowski questions differing National Guard investigation results (APRN, Nov. 14, 2014)
- Ex-general says Alaska governor should have let leadership clean up National Guard (ADN, Nov. 15, 2014)
- Parnell won’t pick new Alaska National Guard leader before leaving office (ADN, Nov. 21, 2014)
- Time for National Guard reform (Anchorage Press, Dec. 3, 2014)
- New Alaska AG to review investigation into National Guard problems (Associated Press, Dec. 4, 2014)
- Walker to review candidates for top National Guard post (APRN, Dec. 10, 2014)
- Judge temporarily blocks termination of Alaska National Guard officer (ADN, Dec. 31, 2014)
- Ousted military affairs official returns as Senate media strategist (APRN, Jan. 6, 2015)
- Attorney general says public airing of Alaska National Guard issue needed for healing (ADN, Jan. 14, 2015)
- Lawmakers propose update to Alaska’s code of military justice (ADN, Jan. 15, 2015)
- Anchorage Democrats push bills combating sexual assault, retaliation in National Guard (APRN, Jan. 16, 2015)
- Alaska governor expects a decision this week on his choice for adjutant general (AP Jan. 28, 2015)
- National Guard problems highlight outdated military code (APRN Jan. 29, 2015)
- Col. Laurie Hummel named new Adjutant General for the Alaska National Guard (KSKA Jan. 30, 2015)
- Lawmaker to wait for investigator’s report for Alaska National Guard hearings (Feb. 2, 2015)
- Former acting adjutant general to retire from scandal-plagued Alaska National Guard (Feb. 5, 2015)
- New leadership, investigator bode well for Alaska Guard (Feb. 7, 2015)
- Cultivating women in the military: Alaska’s commander takes a stand (Feb. 15, 2015)
- Dunbar to help create state Uniform Code of Military Justice (KTUU, Mar. 3, 2015)
- Former US House candidate Forrest Dunbar tapped to reform Alaska’s military code (ADN, Mar. 3, 2015)
- At National Guard confirmation hearing, the political becomes personal (APRN, Mar. 10, 2015)
- Alaska Army National Guard to receive new commander Sunday (KTUU, Mar. 19, 2015)
- OPINION: Time for real reforms to Alaska National Guard (Rep. Chris Tuck, March 17, 2015)
- Video: Alaska Army National Guard change of command ceremony (Alaska Dispatch, March 23, 2015)
- Lawmakers discuss Alaska Code of Military Justice (KTUU, March 27, 2015)
- Media awaits release of National Guard emails (KTOO, April 9, 2015)
- New rules for National Guard to wait until next year (APRN, April 14, 2015)
- Analysis of National Guard records released under Walker yields few significant findings (APRN, July 6, 2015)