FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Thursday, March 24, 2016
CONTACT:  Sara Rabern (605) 773-3215 
 

Attorney General Jackley Vows to Work with Republican and Democrat
Legislators to Strengthen Conflict of Interest Laws

PIERRE, S.D. – On March 16, 2016, Attorney General Marty Jackley announced the filing of criminal charges on three individuals associated with grant monies involving the Gear Up Program.  All three individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.  In response to public questioning at the announcement, Attorney General Jackley indicated that no criminal conflict laws exist for the conduct at issue, but vowed to work with Republican and Democrat legislators to strengthen our conflict laws in South Dakota.  This included legislators present at the announcement.  

On March 23, 2016, the South Dakota Democratic Party issued a release regarding public corruption in which the Attorney General has the following response:

“I agree with the Democratic party leaders that government corruption is too important to play politics with, and I vow to work with Republican and Democrat legislators that want to strengthen and improve our conflict laws to better protect taxpayer monies.  Although as Attorney General my primary responsibility is to enforce the laws that are passed by the legislature, it is my desire to work with legislators in strengthening our laws.  This includes addressing direct conflicts of interest, reporting the discovery of fraud and criminal conflict violations to the Attorney General, and an enforcement measure greater than a misdemeanor for both a deterrent value and for prosecutors to address inappropriate conduct,” said Attorney General Jackley.  

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