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By Bridger Dansereau - Investigative Reporter
Published: February 27, 2026 Reading Time: Estimated Read Time: 14 Min
Topics: Kelvin Blas Abandoned
Investigation Series: Abandoned
Agencies Involved: Department of State
Location: Africa, Togo
Army veteran Kelvin Blas stands at the locked gate of a U.S. embassy building, documents labeled “FOIA Request” and a folded dress uniform at his feet, symbolizing institutional abandonment and demands for accountability.
Page 3 of 5

The Concrete Demands

Agencies Involved

  • Department of State

Location

  • Africa
  • Togo

True Signal Media and Covenant for Forgotten Warriors make the following demands:

Immediate Actions (Within 7 Days)

1. Produce All Records

  • Complete Embassy Lomé case file for Kelvin Blas (2017-present)
  • “The File” created by Ronald E. Hawkins Jr. in 2024, including all communications with Captain Michael Burleson
  • Transition briefing materials provided to Ambassador Michaels regarding Kelvin Blas
  • CCTV footage from November 11, 2025 assault
  • Visitor logs showing Susan Williams and witnesses
  • Security incident reports for November 11
  • Communications between guard Majeed and embassy staff during 20-minute consultation
  • All communications between Ambassador Michaels’ office and security personnel regarding Kelvin
  • All communications between DCM McClure and other embassy personnel regarding Kelvin
  • Complete Activity Log for W/W Service case LOM202516724140037

2. Correct the Records Containing Material Inaccuracies

  • Withdraw W/W Service Summary claiming Kelvin is “fictitious”
  • Issue corrected case file with accurate name (Kelvin Blas, no middle name)
  • Document actual welfare checks performed (currently zero)
  • Explain why David Burger is listed as “victim of romance scam”

3. Issue Preservation Order

  • Formal notice to all State Department offices to preserve Kelvin Blas records
  • Include emails, text messages, internal communications
  • Prevent destruction of evidence while investigation proceeds

Accountability Actions (Within 30 Days)

4. Office of Inspector General Investigation

  • Formal OIG investigation into November 11 assault
  • Review of FOIA processing for evidence of obstruction
  • Examination of discrimination allegations from Stromayer statement
  • Assessment of Debrosse’s mass closure of nine requests on same day

5. Disciplinary Action

  • Suspension pending investigation: Debrosse (FOIA obstruction), Majeed (assault), McClure (operational oversight failure)
  • Administrative review: Michaels (failure to document assault, denial of services under his leadership), Hawkins (creation of prejudicial file without verification)
  • Referral to OPM: Brown (production of records with material inaccuracies inconsistent with standard W/W case practices)
  • Review of Stromayer’s current position at National War College given allegations of racist statements

6. Congressional Notification

  • Formal briefing to Senate Foreign Relations Committee
  • Briefing to House Veterans’ Affairs Committee
  • Explanation of how veteran was stranded six years without intervention
  • Accounting of FOIA obstruction and records containing material inaccuracies

Resolution Actions (Within 60 Days)

7. Resolve Kelvin’s Passport Issue

  • Direct State Department intervention with Togolese government to secure return of passport seized by Togolese courts in 2020
  • Diplomatic demand for explanation why temporary visa/documentation was not provided when passport was confiscated (standard procedure under Togolese law)
  • If diplomatic intervention fails, issue emergency travel document immediately to enable repatriation
  • Payment of any legitimate outstanding fees; legal challenge to inflated or punitive fees
  • Public explanation for why embassy failed to intervene for six years while U.S. citizen remained stranded without documentation
  • Formal apology for six-year delay in performing basic consular function

8. Provide Medical Assistance

  • Retroactive medical expense reimbursement for four malaria infections
  • Coordination with VA for benefits access
  • Emergency medical fund for ongoing care

9. Establish Repatriation Support

  • Direct flight coordination to United States
  • Temporary housing assistance upon return
  • VA benefits enrollment and expedited processing
  • Counseling services for PTSD related to abandonment

10. Policy Reform

  • Revision of consular assistance protocols to prevent future abandonment
  • Mandatory documentation requirements for denied service claims
  • Independent review process when citizens claim discrimination
  • Public reporting of stranded veterans and resolution timelines

Long-Term Accountability (Within 90 Days)

11. Public Accounting

  • State Department press conference addressing failures
  • Public apology to Kelvin Blas for six years of abandonment
  • Explanation of how “Americans aren’t Black” statement went unpunished
  • Commitment to policy changes preventing recurrence

12. Compensation and Legal Remedies

  • Investigation of potential compensation for David Burger’s $65,000+ in direct support necessitated by State Department failure to provide consular services
  • Damages to Kelvin for six years of denied services, medical neglect, and physical assault (subject to Federal Tort Claims Act administrative process)
  • Legal fees and costs associated with FOIA litigation and accountability advocacy
  • Note: Formal federal tort claims may be filed to pursue these remedies through appropriate legal channels

13. Systemic Review

  • Audit of all Overseas Citizens Services W/W cases for similar failures
  • Review of FOIA processing for pattern of impossible “no records” claims
  • Assessment of consular service provision for racial disparities
  • Public report on findings and corrective actions
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Table of Contents

Page 1 Accountability and Demands Who Failed, What They Violated, and What Happens Next Page 2 What Laws Were Violated Page 3 The Concrete Demands Page 4 What Happens If They Don't Act Page 5 The Final Accounting
EDITOR'S NOTE:

Bridger Dansereau is an investigative journalist with True Signal Media specializing in government accountability and FOIA-based investigations.

To report similar cases of veteran abandonment overseas: [email protected]

To support Kelvin’s case: Covenant for Forgotten Warriors

EDITOR'S NOTE:

ACCOUNTABILITY TIMELINE:

  • 7 Days: Immediate actions (records production, preservation order)
  • 30 Days: Accountability actions (OIG investigation, disciplinary proceedings)
  • 60 Days: Resolution actions (passport return, medical care, repatriation)
  • 90 Days: Long-term reforms (public accounting, policy changes, systemic review)

Failure to meet these deadlines triggers escalation.

The investigation continues.

← Abandoned: Part 5 - The Cost of Abandonment Investigation Index
Topics: Kelvin Blas Abandoned
Investigation Series: Abandoned
Agencies Involved: Department of State
Location: Africa, Togo

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