Former state senator still making payments on Covid debt after daycare closure

Jessica Castleberry made agreement in 2023 after investigation

Logo for Little Nest Preschool, owned by former state lawmaker Jessica Castleberry. (Facebook)

A former state lawmaker who was the center of a probe by the Attorney General’s Office is continuing to make payments to the state, despite the closure of her business.

A spokeswoman for the State Auditor’s Office confirmed that former Sen. Jessica Castleberry has continued to stay current so far on the repayment plan she entered into with the state last year, after her two Little Nest Preschool facilities in the Rapid City area abruptly closed over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

“She has been making payments on time up to this point,” said Audit Supervisor Jenna Latham, before noting that they had not yet received a payment for the month of November yet.

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