Kansas Governor Appoints DEA Official to Lead Highway Patrol As Predecessor Faces Lawsuits

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly appointed a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official to lead the state’s highway patrol. This was after the previous superintendent was sued for alleged sexual harassment of female employees.

On June 8, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly appointed Erik Smith, a high-ranking official of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, to lead the state’s highway patrol. Reportedly, Smith will replace a retiring superintendent who is facing federal lawsuits and allegations of sexual harassment.

An article in Fox News states that the Kansas Governor made the appointment on the last day of Superintendent and Col. Herman Jones. Jones announced his retirement in February after Kelly was pressured by the Legislature to dismiss him.

Nonetheless, Smith’s appointment must be confirmed by the Senate of Kansas in 2024. The Senate leaders will determine whether Smith can act as superintendent until a confirmation vote is made.

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Lawsuit Against Retiring Superintendent

According to Carpenter, a trial is already scheduled for the sexual harassment lawsuit against Jones in September. Nonetheless, Jones denied the accusations of improper conduct and the Kansas Governor backed him up. Kelly stated that the state had already performed two independent investigations but did not find any substance to the accusations.

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