Benda-gate: Daugaard incompetent, crooked, or both

Pierre's culture of corruption is unraveling.

Intersecting an investigation reportedly begun early this year is Brendan Johnson's near-crusade against human trafficking and his close friendship with South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley. Jackley insists there is no criminal investigation being conducted by his office of US Senate candidate, former SD governor Mike Rounds, one of the principals in the Benda-gate scandal. Johnson's commitment to investigating likely federal crimes would certainly explain his not entering a statewide political race. Jackley, who was appointed by Rounds, and South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard, Lieutenant Governor under Rounds, are Republicans.

No state or federal charges have been filed, but it is now known that a federal grand jury issued a subpoena for information from the governor’s office in March and that federal authorities have reportedly questioned at least three people involved with the Northern Beef project, including Benda. [Bob Mercer, How SD became a top place for foreign money, Mitchell Daily Republic]

Another foreign investor is proceeding with construction on a salted fat factory in Brookings. Still another wants to frack Custer and Fall River Counties for yellowcake. South Dakota's earth hater governor sought US aid for cyber criminals.

The dying red state is inviting the firearms and ammunition industry to come pollute South Dakota according to this AP report published at SFGate:

South Dakota officials say they made some promising contacts with outdoors businesses while attending last month's Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show in Las Vegas. State Economic Development Commissioner Pat Costello says South Dakota officials have attended the show for the past 12 years.

Minnesota is still cleaning up after one of her 'job creators:'

The New Brighton/Arden Hills Superfund site, which is comprised of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant and its associated property, is a federal Superfund site located in Arden Hills, Minnesota. Contamination resulting from past ammunition manufacturing operations at the facility has been identified in groundwater, soil, sediment and surface water.

South Dakota, of course, doesn't give one shit about environmental protection or whom is killed by products manufactured in that struggling, red moocher state where liability for deaths due to firearms exist only in an alternate universe.

Several Sioux Falls area businesses will be represented on a trade mission to China with Gov. Dennis Daugaard in April. Each participant selected for the trade mission offers an opportunity to increase state exports to China and create jobs in South Dakota, according to the governor’s office. The trade mission to China is funded through an export promotion grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.--SFBJ.

The whole thing reeks.