Prosecutor says she has no authority to probe Frye-Mueller suspension

Sen. Pischke called for investigation Thursday

There won’t be a criminal investigation into the South Dakota Senate’s decision to discipline one of its members following a workplace misconduct complaint in January.

Hughes County State’s Attorney Jessica LaMie has informed Sen. Tom Pischke that her office will not proceed with his request that it determine whether the Senate violated Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller’s rights when it stripped her of her committee assignments and suspended her from office for a week.

“The law is clear in South Dakota. The Executive Branch, which includes State's Attorneys, cannot interfere in the internal workings of the Legislature including the investigation and discipline of a legislator,” LaMie said in a letter dated Feb. 24. “It is for that reason that no further action will be taken by the Office of State's Attorney for Hughes County.”

NEWS: Controversy over Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller suspension flares up again at state Capitol