TOPEKA (KSNT) - Auditors have found issues with the Kansas Department of Commerce's (KDC) hiring process after it was revealed the agency hired a felon. Jonathan Clayton was put in charge of managing an economic grant program for the KDC despite being a convicted felon when he was hired by the state in 2020. Auditors with the Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit (LPA) reported this week the KDC's policies are "not adequate" to filter out those who have a criminal record. The KDC responded to this by saying it is attempting to fix the issue. The agency plans to introduce legislation in 2025 so it can use criminal background checks during its hiring process. Man making $5 donation finds $6,000 charge on credit card Clayton was found dead in Harvey County earlier this year following an apparent crash into a tree, according to a Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) report in August. His death came shortly after he made allegations against the KDC of wrongdoing related to how it awards its BASE grants. Clayton made various claims in an email he sent out that grants were being distributed unfairly, pointing a finger at the state's Lieutenant Governor David Toland. These claims prompted a second audit into Kansas' "transparency database" which is how the state shares information with the public about its grants. LPA auditors reported this database is missing certain programs. However, the KDC responded to this by saying auditors misinterpreted the law and the sample size of programs was not sufficient. What new laws go into effect in Kansas on Jan. 1, 2025? For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf