South Dakota Attorney General wants whistleblower requirement in wake of state scandals

Marty Jackley wants supervisors that don't report wrongdoing held accountable

South Dakota’s top prosecutor is advocating for penalties against state employee supervisors who fail to report inappropriate use of government funds and resources.

Attorney General Marty Jackley is calling for mandatory reporting requirements following a series of scandals involving state employees. He told The Dakota Scout this week that he plans to include this “added enforcement” in his annual legislative priorities.

“I’d like to see a mandatory reporting to the attorney general,” said Jackley, whose office is investigating or prosecuting at least three cases involving former or deceased state employees accused of stealing public funds or exploiting their positions for financial gain. “We have mandatory reporting for health professionals, educators, and a lot of different areas, and … I don’t feel the attorney general should find out about it when someone has died, burned themselves up, or shot themselves. I’d like to know about it when it happens.”

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