Guarded accusations

The FBI reports that grand juries in Sacramento and Fresno counties have indicted eight current or former members of the California National Guard on charges of “fraudulently obtaining recruiting referral bonuses,” according to a press release.

Included in those indictments are Sarah N. Nattress, 26, of Paradise and Brian M. Kaps, 40, of Chico. Both were National Guard recruiting assistants. Nattress is charged with taking $28,000 and Kaps $16,000 in fraudulent bonuses.

“It’s disappointing,” Kaps’ attorney Mark Reichel told SFGate. “We were hoping they weren’t going to indict him. To the extent he’s involved at all, he’s minimally involved and certainly not someone I think these type of resources should be spent on.”

The defendants face a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.