The recent death of a Peabody man who once worked for the Kansas Department of Commerce may lead to possible changes in background checks for state employees.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly made the announcement late last week following the death of Jonathan Clayton, who had recently been serving as the Interim City Clerk for the City of Peabody. Clayton was reported missing on August 3rd and his body was found on August 18th in his pick up truck after crashing into a tree. His death was ruled accidental.
Rumors surrounding Clayton's disappearance began following allegations that he has mishandled grant funds in Peabody. It was discovered that he had felony convictions in Pennsylvania dating from 2016. Those convictions were unknown to the City of Peabody and the Department of Commerce.
Existing Kansas law does not allow for national-level criminal background checks for the position Clayton held with the state.
Governor Kelly has stated that her administration will be pursuing changes to those laws in the upcoming legislative session.
