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Jackley: Benda Arrest Close Before Death

South Dakota’s attorney general says his office had prepared a criminal complaint against Richard Benda just weeks before he died. The former Secretary of Tourism and Economic Development is linked to federal and state investigations into misconduct involving hundreds of thousands of dollars. The legislative Government Operations and Audit committee is evaluating results after officials discovered the missing money.

Attorney General Marty Jackley stresses that a person not convicted in court is presumed innocent as he presents state lawmakers with draft documents. On October 8, 2013 Jackley prepared an arrest warrant for former Secretary of Tourism and State Development Richard Benda and a criminal complaint accusing him of grand theft by embezzlement. The attorney general's office had meetings with Benda's legal counsel, and Jackley’s office called a grand jury to consider the charges.

"Going in chronological order, on Oct 22, 2013, which is six days prior to the scheduled grand jury, state, federal and local law enforcement authorities responded to Richard Benda’s death in rural Charles Mix County," Jackley says.

Benda died of a gunshot wound on October 20, 2013; his death is ruled a suicide. Authorities haven’t taken further criminal action.

Jackley says the state’s information about $550,000 missing is part of a larger federal investigation into the EB-5 foreign investor program. He says South Dakota’s audit shows the state Department of Tourism and Economic Development and the failed Northern Beef Packers plant did not violate state law.

Kealey Bultena grew up in South Dakota, where her grandparents took advantage of the state’s agriculture at nap time, tricking her into car rides to “go see cows.” Rarely did she stay awake long enough to see the livestock, but now she writes stories about the animals – and the legislature and education and much more. Kealey worked in television for four years while attending the University of South Dakota. She started interning with South Dakota Public Broadcasting in September 2010 and accepted a position with television in 2011. Now Kealey is the radio news producer stationed in Sioux Falls. As a multi-media journalist, Kealey prides herself on the diversity of the stories she tells and the impact her work has on people across the state. Kealey is always searching for new ideas. Let her know of a great story! Find her on Facebook and twitter (@KealeySDPB).