GOP Activist Wants Robo-call Civil Suit Dismissed

SIOUX FALLS - A man accused of criticizing South Dakota Republican leadership last year through robo-calls that weren't properly identified wants a judge to throw out a civil lawsuit against him because he also is being charged criminally.

GOP activist Daniel Willard is accused in Lake County of violating state election law. He has pleaded not guilty.

Dakota Dunes lawmaker Dan Lederman has filed a separate civil lawsuit against Willard in Minnehaha County. Lederman's attorney tells the Argus Leader the lawsuit is about clarifying the bounds of election law for legislators who might face unidentified attacks and for citizens who might hear or see them.

Willard says the civil lawsuit is a waste of time because it deals with the same actions as the criminal case and seeks no damages.

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