Walworth County official arrested, accused of breaking open records law

SHELBY, S.D. (AP) — A county auditor in South Dakota accused of violating the state’s open meetings law has been arrested.

State’s Attorney James Hare issued a warrant for the arrest of Walworth County Auditor Rebecca Krein last week after he received a complaint that she failed to make documents available for an Aug. 6 meeting.

State law requires government entities to make documents available to the public when they are used during official meetings.

South Dakota Newspaper Association executive director David Bordewyk says it’s likely the first time a public official has been arrested in the state for violating open meeting laws.

Krein declined to comment, citing advice from her lawyer.