Monday is the deadline for state Sen. Jessica Castleberry to return $603,000 in pandemic aid to the state.
Attorney General Marty Jackley said the incident involves a significant amount of money. Because of that, he wants to review documents from Castleberry and the state.
"The Attorney General’s Office continues to receive and review documents related to this issue, and we are still awaiting documents from the State Department of Social Services," Jackley said. "Sen. Castleberry and the State Department of Social Services have been cooperating with this office.
Last month, Gov. Kristi Noem accused the senator of violating the constitution by accepting COVID relief funds for her Rapid City childcare business.
The state constitution prohibits lawmakers from receiving contracts with the state. The state Supreme Court said lawmakers are prohibited from receiving these funds.
Castleberry said she believes her company was eligible to receive the funds and that she communicated transparently with the state.
Since the pandemic began, state lawmakers, as well as Castleberry, voted to approve several grants to funnel federal pandemic aid to citizens.
