Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Friday that she believed the Kansas Army National Guard was accurately reporting its strength, despite an allegation it has kept “ghost soldiers” on its payroll.

The accusation came from House Speaker Doug Mays, who said he had internal documents showing the Guard has inflated its strength since at least 1996. He declined to produce records or identify his sources, saying to do so would “put some very good careers in jeopardy.”

Mays said during the past seven years, 2,400 soldiers had remained on the payroll six months or longer after their discharges. Mays said he was not sure whether any of them had received pay after their discharges.

Mays made his charges during a news conference he called the day after Sebelius told reporters she remained confident in Maj. Gen. Greg Gardner, the state adjutant general, despite two recent personnel controversies.

The House speaker said the situation with discharged Guard members “shakes my faith in the adjutant general.

“It’s an outrage that we’ve had these ghost soldiers,” said Mays, R-Topeka.

Sebelius said the same allegations were brought to her and she discussed them with Gardner. She said she reviewed the Guard’s numbers and federal reports.

“I am disappointed that Speaker Mays chose to go to the press with these allegations before contacting me, or Gen. Gardner, to get accurate information,” the governor said in a statement.

Mays called on Atty. Gen. Phill Kline to investigate and determine whether funds were misappropriated or laws broken.

“I don’t think the adjutant general has to talk to me,” Mays said, adding that he believed he should take such questions directly to Sebelius, the Guard’s commander in chief.

Later, Mays talked briefly to Sebelius and stood by his allegations, calling the governor’s comments “attacking the messenger.”

Said Mays, “Clearly, she was not happy with me. Sometimes, the only way to get questions answered about allegations like this is to ask them publicly.”

Kline has not decided whether to investigate, spokesman Chad Bettes said.

“He’ll carefully consider the request, which is his standard practice,” Bettes said.

Gardner was not available for comment and was reviewing Mays’ allegations. Sebelius’ statements said the general would meet with reporters Tuesday to discuss the issue.

Gardner was appointed adjutant general in February 1999 by Gov. Bill Graves and was retained by Sebelius.

The Guard most recently came under scrutiny because of the case of Maj. Rick Jellison, a 22-year veteran who had been the spokesman and community manager for the Topeka-based 190th Refueling Wing.

He faces a felony charge in Shawnee County District Court, accused of stealing $4,829 belonging to the National Guard Association of Kansas.

Earlier this month, Col. Joe Rose, former head of the Kansas National Guard’s human resources office, was fired after an internal investigation showed he had improperly backdated a promotion for himself.