South Dakota ethics board finds Gov. Kristi Noem 'may have engaged in misconduct'


The Government Accountability Board in South Dakota said on Monday it has found sufficient information to show Gov. Kristi Noem (R) may have "engaged in misconduct" when she became involved in her daughter's attempt to get a real estate appraiser license, and "appropriate action" could be taken against her.
The ethics board, comprised of three retired judges, did not elaborate on the type of action. The board also referred a second complaint, about Noem's use of her state airplane, to the South Dakota attorney general's office for investigation, The Associated Press reports.
In 2021, AP reported that after South Dakota's Appraiser Certification Program moved to deny the license of Noem's daughter, Kassidy Peters, the governor asked Sherry Bren, the head of the agency; her supervisor; the state labor secretary; and Peters to come to her office. It is unclear what was discussed during this meeting. Four months later, Peters obtained her license, and about a week after that, the labor secretary demanded that Bren retire, Bren said in an age discrimination complaint.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
South Dakota's former attorney general, Republican Jason Ravnsborg, filed several complaints about Noem's actions in office, triggering the ethics board meeting. Some of the complaints were dismissed, and Noem will have a chance to defend herself on the other allegations during a future contested case hearing. Noem, who is up for re-election this year, has denied any wrongdoing.
Ravnsborg hit and killed a pedestrian in September 2020 while driving home from a political fundraiser. Earlier this year, after South Dakota's state House impeached him and the state Senate convicted him of malfeasance in office, Ravnsborg was removed as attorney general. In a statement to AP, Ravnsborg said, "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."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The ‘Shakespearean bitterness’ of the thermostat wars
Talking Point ‘Genuine physiological differences’ mean women and men are at odds over temperatures at home
-
China’s rare earth controls
The Explainer Beijing has shocked Washington with export restrictions on minerals used in most electronics
-
Quiz of The Week: 11 – 17 October
Quiz Have you been paying attention to The Week’s news?
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections
-
News organizations reject Pentagon restrictions
Speed Read The proposed policy is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s latest move to limit press access at the Pentagon
-
Trump declares end to Gaza war, ‘dawn’ of new Mideast
Speed Read Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel released thousands of Palestinian detainees
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents