GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – In northern Michigan, seven service members from the Camp Grayling military installation are accused of theft and nepotism, among other things.
The fallout led to firings, retirements and other disciplinary action at the largest National Guard training facility in the U.S.
The allegations are wide-ranging: theft, destruction of property, nepotism and running side businesses while on the clock, even using government equipment to operate those side jobs.
According to the business manager with the Laborers International Union National Guard District Council, the initial allegations came from an anonymous letter, sent in August of last year.
Soon afterwards, Col. Scott Doolittle, who is also a Grand Rapids police officer, began an investigation, which he finished in January.
It was forwarded to the National Guard’s criminal division, but the group determined a criminal investigation was unnecessary.
Following the investigation, two lieutenant colonels retired, two sergeants were put on two weeks of unpaid leave and two master sergeants were fired.
Joe Smock and Renee Reed were the master sergeants who were fired.
Smock stands accused of stealing a government TV and using government resources to purchase and swap rims on his son’s truck.
Smock says he has receipts for both the TV and the work done on the truck.
MSG Reed is accused of getting preferential treatment and taking part in an inappropriate relationship with Lt. Col. Chris Golnick.
Golnick, who retired following the investigation, was in charge of the Mobilization And Training Equipment Site at Camp Grayling.
MATES is in charge of repairing and servicing military vehicles.
Reed’s representative maintains the Golnick and Reed families have been long-time friends, and all accusations have stopped short of saying the relationship was sexual in nature.
This afternoon, FOX 17 spoke with Ben Banch about the allegations against Smock and Reed.
An appeal hearing was scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday this week, but Banch says it was postponed.
He says no explanation was given and the delay was granted just before close of business on Friday.
Banch says he is still waiting for an explanation.
FOX 17 reached out to Col. Doolittle, but he did not respond by the time this story was posted.
