Governor's office: Taxpayers not paying Noem's legal representation in ethics probe

But law firm representing the office has close ties to the governor

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem. The governor’s office says taxpayers are not paying for the lawyer representing her in two ethics probes this year. (File photo)

A private lawyer who has been representing Gov. Kristi Noem during two ethics probes is not being paid by taxpayers, the governor’s office said Tuesday.

Noem has been the subject of at least two complaints filed with the Government Accountability Board, a group of retired judges that has reviewed the complaints. Lisa Prostrollo, a lawyer with the Redstone Law Firm in Sioux Falls, has represented Noem at board hearings and has filed motions and letters on behalf of the governor during the yearlong process.

The complaints were filed by former Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, who Noem successfully pushed out of office in June for his role as the driver in a fatal accident.

The Government Accountability Board process has been shrouded in secrecy.