The South Dakota Senate is approving Matt Althoff to lead the Department of Social Services.
The Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese Chancellor’s nomination sailed through Senate Health Committee.
The full Senate voted 34 to 1 in favor of his nomination.
Althoff is implicated in a 2017 sexual harassment case with the Sioux Falls Catholic Diocese.
In a secret recording aired by KELO-TV, Althoff is heard encouraging an employee to stop bringing up claims of sexual harassment.
In the recording, Althoff can be heard saying the claims “complicate the church’s ability to employ” them.
Althoff declined to comment on concerns by some lawmakers who worry about his ability to lead the department.
He says the harassment story was spin by then-KELO reporter Angela Kennecke.
Althoff took over the Department of Social Services last week.
