Multiple cases allege state employees use their roles to embezzle significant sums of money or evade taxes are now public knowledge.
Another case involving a South Dakota state employee using the system to benefit themselves illegally is beginning its journey through the legal system.
State Attorney General Marty Jackley said the Division of Criminal Investigation began looking into state finances after the Sandra O’Day case.
O’Day was a Department of Motor Vehicles employee accused of creating fake titles to receive bank loans. With O’Day now deceased, no charges have been filed in that case.
Jackley broke down the new case.
“The issue is centered upon the allegation a state employee or state employees have used their positions to reduce or avoid certain taxes for themselves," Jackley said. "Typically, these have been tied to camper sales. A potential reason for that is camper sales do not have a national database.”
Jackley said the trend is worrying.
“I have to be respectful of the system," Jackley said. "I would indicate to the public that we are doing our due diligence, and I would anticipate advising the public in the next few weeks of what we’ve determined, either by a written statement or a charging decision.”
Further, he said expect lawmakers to address the matter head-on.
“I know from speaking to numerous legislators they intend to have hearings on this," Jackley said. "I intend to cooperate, testify, and provide them information regarding what we found to the extent I can.”
While state employees receive constitutional rights like anyone else, additional charges could be levied due to being in a position of trust. That charging decision is at the discretion of the AG.