Westar board member retires

Kansas University alumnus to pursue other business interests

Beleagured Westar Energy Inc. on Friday announced the retirement of a long-serving board member and provided more details about a federal grand jury probe into its operations.

John C. Dicus, a prominent banker and Kansas University alumnus who has been on Westar’s board since 1990, was leaving to focus on other business interests, according to a statement from Westar.

Dicus is chairman and chief executive officer of Capitol Federal Savings Bank of Topeka. He also serves on the KU Endowment Association’s executive committee. He could not be reached for comment.

Also on Friday, Westar filed documents with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission that say the U.S. attorney’s office has requested information about the use of aircraft, compensation agreements with David Wittig and Douglas T. Lake, the company’s rights offering, and other general company information.

In September, Westar reported the grand jury was looking into information on leased aircraft, the annual shareholders meeting and Wittig.

Last week, Wittig was indicted on federal bank fraud charges in connection with a deal unrelated to Westar. He was placed on administrative leave without pay from his position as Westar president and chief executive.

Lake is Westar’s executive vice president and chief strategic officer.

Westar said the new SEC filing provided more details about the grand jury investigation than previously released but didn’t indicate a change in the probe.

Westar is the largest electric utility in Kansas serving 647,000 customers including Lawrence and the surrounding area.

Also last week, state utility regulators ordered that Westar be restructured to protect utility ratepayers from debt accumulated by other Westar businesses.