SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Gov. Kristi Noem announced her seventh executive order Monday in a response to a string of fraud involving state employees.
Update: 14 Sioux Falls homicides mapped in 2024
In a news release, the Republican Governor said she signed an executive order that requires all state employees and supervisors to complete a “comprehensive training program that covers the legal and ethical standards related to conflict of interest, public trust, duty to act, controls and service to citizens.”
Along with the executive order, Noem said she’s calling for enhancements to current policies and systems to safeguard taxpayer dollars, increase resources to the State Board of Internal Control and support a legislative package for clearer and stronger accountability measures.
Noem’s announcement comes after multiple theft investigations in 2024 involving both current and former state employees. You can view the latest executive order below.
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The first investigation involved former Department of Social Services employee Lonna Carroll who has pleaded not guilty to charges that she had stolen more than $1.7 million.
In the state Department of Revenue, two former employees have been charged in connection with fraud involving ownership titles for motor vehicles. Lynne Hunsley was indicted on seven counts, while Danielle Degenstein has been charged for notarizing a fictitious title in connection with a third former Revenue employee who has since died.
A third investigation involves the state Department of Human Services, state lawmakers revealed a couple weeks ago.
“Every dollar that we spend or invest as a state belongs to the people of South Dakota, and they trust us to be wise and responsible with those dollars,” Noem said in a news release.
“We are taking enhanced measures to strengthen the fortitude of our financial infrastructure and make sure that we are taking care of taxpayer dollars. And we will guarantee that state employees are responsible stewards for the people that they serve,” Noem said in a news release.
Noem, who has been nominated by President-election Donald Trump to become Department of Homeland Security Secretary, is slated to give the annual state budget address next week. Her running mate, Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden, would become governor if Noem resigns to accept the federal post.
State lawmakers have also supported issuing subpoenas to look more at the DOR’s response to alleged corruption.
GOAC will dive into the DSS situation, according to Otten. The committee has a two-day meeting scheduled for December 11-12. Attorney General Marty Jackley has also supported more mandatory reporting to the AG for criminal offenses and stronger whistleblower protections for state employees.
