Democrats Claim Conflict of Interest in Beef Plant Investigation

The Democrats have connected a few dots.  As a result, a compelling case is made for South Dakota’s Attorney General to step aside in the investigation surrounding the failed Northern Beef Packers plant in Aberdeen.

South Dakota Democratic Party Executive Director Zach Crago today sent out a press release containing a list of reasons for Attorney General Marty Jackley to recuse himself and his office from investigating financial misconduct at the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED).

“Attorney General Jackley told the Aberdeen American News on Sunday he has no conflict of interest investigating financial misconduct at the GOED during the Rounds-Daugaard Administration - even though he has already cleared his political patron former Governor Mike Rounds as a target.

“The Rounds-Daugaard Administration granted the lucrative EB-5 contract to SDRC President Joop Bollen.  It simply defies belief that a real investigation would not look into the circumstances surrounding that decision.”

“Jackley’s largest 2012 campaign contribution came from Harvey Jewett, a partner in the law firm that represents Joop Bollen, the individual who had his EB-5 contract terminated for cause."

"Clearly, Jackley's ties to his political patron and benefactor present conflicts of interest that preclude Jackley from fairly investigating financial misconduct at the GOED. That's why we're calling on Jackley to recuse himself and the Attorney General’s Office from this matter immediately.”

As you recall Marty Jackley was appointed to the position in 2009 by then Governor Rounds to replace Larry Long who left the office to become judge in South Dakota’s Second Judicial Circuit.  Jackley was the former U.S. Attorney for South Dakota prior to being named Attorney General.

Note:  Crago’s claim regarding the campaign contribution in 2012 is an error regarding the timeline because Jackley was elected in 2010.