Local lawmakers are demanding re-enlistment bonuses given to thousands of California National Guard members be honored by the Pentagon. Bakersfield Congressman Kevin McCarthy is outraged after learning the members were being told to re-pay the bonuses because an incentive manager filed false claims. The bonuses were given from 2007 to 2009 and total $22 million. McCarthy, who is running for re-election, says the Guard members were unaware of the ineligible status because they were told the bonuses were legitimate when the re-upped. He says they lived up to their end of the bargain. State Senator Jean Fuller also issued a statement demanding the payments stand.

Sean Michael Lisle