RUFUS – Barry Wilkenson, the Federal Crimes Investigation Service’s 53rd Director will depart the Laylin administration early next year after a House Ethics Committee investigation revealed that he is receiving personal kickbacks from Federal contract kickbacks related this his agency. President Laylin announced his departure via GovMedia and the Nationalist House website.

President Laylin announced Wilkenson’s departure from the Administration on a GovMedia post as well as in a statement posted to the Nationalist House website. He said his administration has “always been directed to act in an ethical manner.”

“My Administration has always been directed to act in an ethical manner and in a manner consistent with the rules and laws of our great Nation. FCIS Director Barry Wilkenson who has served our nation for nearly the last 1.5 years will depart the administration in early January 2027,” posted President Laylin on his GovMedia account. “This comes after several ethics complaints were filed with the House Ethics Committee. Wilkenson will remain in office until his replacement can be found and we will be starting that search effective this morning.”

The post published on the Nationalist House echoed the same sentiment as the GovMedia post. In it it was announced that Wilkenson would be leaving the administration at the start of 2027.

“President Laylin early this morning announced that longtime ally and 53rd Director Of The Federal Crimes Investigation Service Barry Wilkenson is resigning from his post as FCIS Director In January 2027,” read the statement. “The move comes as the Director has been subject to several Congressional ethics complaints. The resignation in January 2027 will provide the Laylin Administration time to find his replacement. The Administration has yet to confirm if and who they have selected to replace or if they are considering anyone in the Administration or seeking elsewhere for their candidate.”

According to administration officials, no replacement for Wilkenson has been released or hinted to by President Laylin or any sources familiar with the ongoing search. President Laylin says he will find the “perfect successor to Wilkenson,” and that he would “release the name of the nominee once the person has been selected.”

Several names have been floated by the press including former New Shire Commissioner Lorenzo Marley, former Mesa Highway Patrol Commissioner Hayden Hendricks and several other law enforcement personnel across the country. Marley would be the likeliest candidate as he has close ties and a great relationship with President Laylin.

Barry Wilkenson will become the second person to depart the Laylin Administration following the departure of Nationalist House Press Secretary Nancy Yates next month. Wilkenson has served as the Director of the FCIS since 2024 and when he departs next year will have served over two years in the role.