Hughes County State’s attorney to oversee Noem investigation

The South Dakota Government Accountability Board has voted to refer the complaint involving South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s use of the state airplane to the Attorney General’s office for investigation by the Division of Criminal Investigation.

The board did so without making any findings. Under state law, it can refer any of it’s cases to the DCI.

The Division of Criminal Investigation will review and investigate this matter and will do so under the supervision of an outside prosecutor.

Gov. Noem appointed Attorney General Vargo to his post in June. In order to avoid any conflict of interest, Vargo has requested that supervision of the investigation and any charging decisions be undertaken by Hughes County State’s Attorney Jessica LaMie.

LaMie has accepted the post.

September 12, 2022