PIERRE, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Allegations of financial deceptions in different departments of South Dakota state government are driving a discussion within the state Board of Internal Control about seeking more staff and resources to prevent a similar situation in the future.
The Legislature established the State Board of Internal Control in 2016 at the suggestion of then-Governor Dennis Daugaard and formally adopted an internal control framework in 2018. The Department of Revenue was one of the initial departments to go through a review in 2018. The Department of Social Services completed the process in 2023 bringing to light the $1.7 million embezzlement case now making its way through the courts.
To date, 19 state departments and constitutional offices have gone through it. Completing the rest of the state government’s departments and offices could take at least another two years. Officials withing the Bureau of Finance and Management are suggesting that more staff in their department and internal controls throughout state government would be helpful at uncovering current and preventing future frauds on the taxpayer.