South Dakota ethics board says Gov Noem may have engaged in misconduct

The South Dakota Government Accountability Board said Monday it has found sufficient evidence that GOP Gov. Kristi Noem may have "engaged in misconduct" relating to her daughter's real estate appraisal application.

Three retired judges on the ethics board stated that "appropriate action" could be taken against Noem for her alleged role in intervening to help her daughter get her appriser license. The board, which consists of four appointed former or retired South Dakota judges and justices, did not give a specific recommendation.

Noem, who has denied any wrongdoing, will be able to publicly defend herself against the accusations of "conflicts of interest" or "malfeasance," per the board's ruling during the closed-door meeting, The Associated Press reported.

The three retired judges also called on the South Dakota attorney general's office to investigate a complaint that Noem used state-owned airplanes to fly to political events. The probe will be under the Interim Attorney General Mark Vargo, whom Noem appointed after the impeachment and removal of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg earlier this year.

Ravnsborg, who has clashed with Noem before, originally brought the complaints against the governor, who is up for reelection this year and has been brought up as a possible 2024 presidential frontrunner.

"Knowing what I know as the complainant, Gov. Noem should be fully investigated for her abuse of power in getting her daughter an appraiser license, and Gov. Noem should be prosecuted for her criminal use of state resources for personal gain," Ravnsborg said.