SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed an Army National Guard lieutenant colonel as California’s first independent inspector general of the California Military Department.

Lt. Col David Kauffman will investigate claims of wrongdoing and oversee a Guard that has been dogged by reports of fraud.

The new position was created in a law Brown signed in September to help restore confidence in the Guard and provide more protections for Guard members who blow the whistle on misconduct.

Sen. Ted Lieu, a Democrat from Torrance who wrote the legislation, said Friday that Brown is acting swiftly to reform the agency and address problems that began under previous administrations.

Kauffman will be paid $141,619 a year if his selection is confirmed by the state Senate.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.