During a face-to-face meeting today with General Frank Grass, chief of the National Guard Bureau (NGB), U.S. Senator Mark Begich said he is closely following the most recent investigation into allegations of sexual assault and misconduct in the Alaska Guard, and wants them resolved once and for all.
General Grass agreed it was crucial to resolve these issues in a transparent process so the Alaska National Guard can focus on its important missions.
"At today's meeting I let General Grass know in no uncertain terms that I expect the National Guard Bureau to get to the bottom of these allegations once and for all," said Begich. "I'm frustrated these issues were not resolved two years ago when I asked the NGB team to travel to Alaska to investigate these very same concerns. We've seen the allegations surface again and again. If left unresolved they make for a toxic environment that degrades morale and hurts the focus of Guard missions. This is a state jurisdiction issue but I will continue working to ensure this investigation is thorough and transparent."
Begich first called for an investigation of and action on allegations of sexual assault in the Alaska National Guard in 2012. The subsequent investigation did not substantiate any criminal wrongdoing. When allegations continued, Begich urged the NGB to revisit the issue. Copies of Begich's letters requesting the initial investigation and his April 4 letter on the most recent investigation and ongoing concerns are attached.
General Grass told Begich today he visited Alaska earlier this year partly in response to Begich's previous questions and concerns about ongoing misconduct allegations. That visit was followed by the governor's request for a NGB investigation.
"Our National Guard members should serve in an environment free of suspicion and mistrust," said Begich. "There needs to be careful and transparent investigations to resolve these allegations once and for all so the Alaska National Guard can focus on its important role. That's why I've made it clear, very clear, that I want to be briefed often as the investigation moves forward along with the rest of the Alaska delegation. I'm frustrated that I asked the NGB to investigate the reports of sexual assault two years ago but the conclusions of that investigation failed to eliminate the allegations that continue to this day. I will continue to champion the concerns of Guardsmen, who have done so much for this state and this nation."