On July 26, Attorney General Marty Jackley gave Senator Jessica Castleberry (R-35/Rapid City) until yesterday, August 7, to repay the $603,219.79 that she illegally received in coronavirus relief funds to her Little Nest Preschool. Yesterday A.G. Jackley said the very publicly lamed-duck Senator is cooperating with the state to resolve the issue.
But the big news is at the bottom of John Hult’s Searchlight report, and it comes, as is so often the case, from Senate boss Lee Schoenbeck (R-5/Lake Kampeska), who says the Attorney General could find a whole bunch more Legislative geese to cook if they just take a gander:
Sen. Lee Schoenbeck, R-Watertown, told his fellow lawmakers during a meeting of the South Dakota Legislature’s Executive Board on Monday that he’d like that committee to discuss the Constitutional provision on conflicts of interest that led to an investigation into Castleberry’s pursuit and acceptance of COVID relief funds.
The Senate Pro Tempore said people with an interest in running for office have asked him recently if they might wind up in violation of the provision if they’ve done business with the state. He also said current lawmakers need more clear guidance on the rules.
“We’ve got, and I suspect you’re going to hear it in the news in the next month, more instances of people that are in transactions (with the state),” Schoenbeck said. “We have to do something for potential candidates and current legislators so that they’re not getting in trouble. The more hands that look at that, the better.”
Schoenbeck said he’s already begun drafting some verbiage to clarify guidance for lawmakers, and that he’d like to add it to the agenda of the executive board’s next meeting [John Hult, “Senator Accused of Illegally Pocketing COVID Funds Cooperating with State,” South Dakota Searchlight, 2023.08.07].
Does Senator Schoenbeck know about more legislators making money on state contracts, in violation of the South Dakota Constitution, and state investigations thereinto? Is Governor Kristi Noem preparing nastygrams to all of those corrupt legislators, like the one with which she put her appointee Castleberry on public blast?
But I have to wonder what clearer “guidance” Senator Schoenbeck thinks legislators need. The relevant clause of Article 3 Section 12 of the South Dakota Constitution is pretty clear: “…nor shall any member of the Legislature during the term for which he shall have been elected, or within one year thereafter, be interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract with the state or any county thereof, authorized by any law passed during the term for which he shall have been elected.” If you’re in the Legislature, once you vote on a budget, you can’t take any contracts from the state paid for by that budget. If you’re a candidate, you have nothing to worry about until you win and start casting budget votes. As Governor Noem wrote to Attorney General Jackley and Senator Castleberry two weeks ago, the South Dakota Supreme Court “could not have spoken more clearly… to this issue” in October 2020 when it said legislators could not contract for the coronavirus relief grants administered by the state. The court made that constitutional conflict-of-interest provision clear 22 years ago when it told Carol Pitts she couldn’t be a legislator and continue working for the Board of Regents. Legislators who can’t read and understand that simple constitutional provision and the clear case law surrounding it lack the reading comprehension necessary to study and vote intelligently on the hundreds of bills they face each Session.
I look forward to seeing the coming month’s news the names of those legislators whose lack of reading comprehension has led them into illegal transactions with the state and nastygrams Governor Noem will publish about them.
ha ha ha Shielding your state from corruption can be limiting, huh SDGOP? “It Is The Way!”
Despie the anti-government squealing of the “conservative” citizenry of SD, a fairly good percentage of the little piglets are dependent on said government for their “success” in life. Just the fact that government is the biggest employer in the state (easily sp) speaks to the size of the trough.
Sooooo…how’s that working out for Senator Jessica? Is it …still unclear if she (Castleberry) agreed to pay back all or some of the funds immediately, to pay back the funds over time, or if she’s committed to paying back the funds at all?
Has Jackley’s office begun to pursue the matter in court? Is Castleberry cooperating with the state to resolve the issue, and coming to an agreement with the state on how to move forward?
Or is this all just theater after the guv threw six kinds of hissy fits and all the legislators hope the “issue” will die down and just go away?
Keep in mind, this is the “establishment wing” of the Legislature, led by Lee Schoenbeck and Mr. Crabtree who want to rid the membership of any person(s) who stand in their way. Keep in mind, whether or not they have any proof of, or evidence, they will do what they have to, in order to conquer and remove any opposition to their agenda. Pierre has worked this way for years, and it has gotten so bad, that there are people who choose NOT to run for Legislative Seats out of fear they will be silenced by this S.D Establishment. “WE” need more people like Donald Trump, people who are unwilling to be silenced, people who are willing to confront people like Lee Schoenbeck and Mr. Crabtree, people who are willing to stand up and fight those limited members of the legislature of whom are now fast becoming a “minority”. Like Congress, the “establishment” when they feel threatened, will stop at next to nothing to silence any of their critics. Lee Schoenbeck is still upset that he lost his case for S.B 40, and it is beginning to show today…
Trump tried to overturn an election and tweeted out “If you come for me, I’m coming for you.” If you can take a sec to step away from whatever delusions you are currently dealing with to analyze people who demand power no matter what, you have to look no further than your golden calf. Again: Mike, you are mentally ill and need to step away from politics. It’s not good for you and people like John Dale nurture the worst parts of your personality. You stand zero chance at ever obtaining elected office. You aren’t well, Mike. I’m going to keep hammering this point home every time you post. You gotta stop, man.
It’s not difficult to sympathize with the frustrations of Herr Trump’s Second Amendment people and the SDGOP establishment especially when the sexual assault victims of Mr. Schoenbeck’s religious cult were silenced by South Dakota’s limp-wristed legislature.
Back in 2012 Lee Schoenbeck made a public confession in the online edition of South Dakota Magazine.
Lee’s crap is hypocritheocrisy on meth.
Will voters ever know if Jessica Castleberry joined the Governor’s Club?
You need to quit polishing Hump’s wee toadstool knob, Mr. Z. He’s a stupid, vicious, narcissistic turd fondler who cares only for himself and would NEVER “stand up and fight” for a minority.
The “cooperation” by Ms Castleberry should be made known to “we the people” within a week or so, should it not? What have she and Jackley agreed to? And has he now become official “Bill Collector” of the Noem Administration?
The Castleberry case aside, opinion varies on conflicts of interest, as per the link to the Carol Pitts matter posted by Cory. The devil’s in the details and one size doesn’t necessarily fit all.
“However, Chief Justice David Gilbertson said the majority decision takes a narrow view of the constitution. Pitts should be allowed to serve as a legislator and keep her SDSU job, he argued.
”While Pitts did vote for the 2001 appropriations bill, that vote did not create her office or preclude commercial competition for the (SDSU) position,” Gilbertson wrote. ”The annual renewal of her employment contract was with the regents and was not subject to legislative approval. The Legislature merely funded the contract by its annual appropriations bill.” ”
https://www.yankton.net/news/article_abff0591-851a-5729-af58-6e3cf4a2ccf6.html
“Trump’s toadstool knob”? Perfect … #grins
RU Dog Whistling Sen. Schoenbeck?
Schoenbeck said. “We have to do something for potential candidates and current legislators so that they’re not getting in trouble. The more hands that look at that, the better.”
Schoenbeck actually means. “So many of us are breaking the law we have to change that law before the Heidelberger exposes us.”
Conflict of interest is pretty clear cut and understood by the public. It’s good old self dealing, personally benefiting from a position of power whether elected to that position or appointed. It’s been pervasive in the Republican Party since the advent of term limits. “Grab all the Gusto and Cash, that you can, while you can.”
Sen. Schenbeck seems to be bucking the national trend of GOP self-dealing conflict of interest. Between Trump and the Supreme Court, lining your pocket through “government service” seems the norm for conservatives. I’m sure this is part of the prosperity gospel in some way.
I recused myself from a vote on some matter dealing with provisions of school district funding that potentially may have gone to an agency that I worked for in Rapid. I stated my non-vote in the public meeting, and why I wouldn’t be voting. It’s not that hard to figure out if you have a potential conflict, but you have to read the bills. I understand Castelberry asked someone if applying for the funding would be OK, but if you have to ask, you probably should just not apply.
I am going to respond to Mr. Ditka one time, I have been ignoring the name so I am going to respond directly to him,
Dear Mr. Ditca,
I understand that you have a different political opinoin of me and I will respect that. But your constant political attacks on my person, my beliefs, and my opinions only bold well to make you look bad to many people around you. You appear to be a very shrewd and inconsiderate person. I know myself, being in the business world, self employment of buying and selling used cars, and from learning the automotive business from my father, I have learned to always be honest with not only yourself, but with others, and that gives people like like myself more respect in the community.
The Zitterich name is a very respected name in the Sioux Falls Community, both in automotive industry and the motorsports world. I highly am blessed to be a member of that that family, and I am thankful to my ancestors that they gave me the morals, the values, and the ambition to be a good person, and a statesman of the “People of South Dakota”
However, your constant attacks, threats, and abuse laid upon me in recent weeks have shown me a different side of how people act on social media. I feel sorry for people like you who have to resort to such childish behavior. Let me be the first to tell you, I will pray for you, and hope you seek out the help you so desire, and get well in the seeimingly distant future. May God bless your soul.
I am a very kind and fair person, I put up with a lot of abuse and personal threats upon my person, however, I will never take the time to attack anyone, nor accuse anyone, nor insult anyone ever. And that to me, sets the example for our youth for tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Mike Zitterich
(605) 376-0527
Cory, did you you mention in an earlier blog that the governor may have accepted funds for her farming operation? I can’t find the reference at the moment. Thanks.
https://dakotafreepress.com/2019/12/06/governors-brothers-get-346k-in-trump-farm-welfare-checks/
Just one of many posts.
Zit, is this one time response just one time or one time today and likely more tomorrow and later on? Curious onion would like to know. You have some strange definitions for limits.
Those fellows from that Sioux Falls newspaper have done the digging, Mr. H. They have blogged the results. You may now copy in their research for our review. I expect the bonk-bonk-on-the-head will start real soon for the fellows named.
Or perhaps it won’t.
Let me ask you legal fellows, like Mr. buckobear and bear from bat creek and hogglobear, I’m sure I am forgetting some of you, so forgive ol’ grudznick, you legal fellows know who I mean.
Let me ask you, if it is illegal for the legislatures to accept money in exchange for selling a ball of bailing twine, which they offer freely for sale to any Bob. Q. Public who walks in with the cold hard cash to buy it, is it legal for them to accept money in exchange for selling their “services” to sit in committees and in the chambers of the sessions?
It seems to me the clerk at the bailing twine store might not even know who the fellow walking in to buy twine is, he just plunks down a fitty and walks out with a ball of twine and the receipt. Who knew he was an agent of the government, dressed like a butte county ditch digger, brass monkey and all.
Well, listen up, Mike Zitterich. I gotta break it to ya. So here goes: labeling yourself as an honest, fair, and kind used car salesman just doesn’t cut it. You can’t simply declare yourself as such and expect everybody to buy into it lock, stock, and barrel. It don’t work like that, my friend.
See, the thing is, those attributes you mentioned – honesty, fairness, and kindness – are virtues that are earned and bestowed upon you by others. They ain’t characteristics you can just slap on like a “best salesman of the year” sticker on a car and call it a day. The truth is in the pudding, Mike, and your customers with complaints are the ones who decide what flavor it is.
Now, let’s think about this for a second. You’re in the business of selling used cars, and it’s no secret that your profession often gets a bad rap. People have been burned more often than a grilled cheese sandwich in a hot skillet when dealing with car salesmen. So, it’s understandable that folks might approach you with skepticism.
If you want people to see you as honest, fair, and kind, you gotta earn it. You gotta show ’em, with every single interaction and transaction, that you ain’t just another snake oil salesman. You gotta go out there and prove yourself, like a quarterback throwing a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to win the game. You gotta build a reputation, my man, and that ain’t gonna happen overnight.
Instead of labeling yourself as those things, focus on your actions. Treat your customers right, be transparent about the car’s history and condition, give ’em the best deal you can, and always strive to exceed their expectations. Let your customers do the talking – if they start calling you honest, fair, and kind, then you know you’re doing something right. Right now they ain’t.
So, Mike, it’s time for a reality check. The labels you put on yourself don’t mean jack unless others bestow them on you. It’s all about the perception, and you gotta earn that perception through your actions. So get out there, treat your customers right, and let them do the labeling for you.
Now, go out there and sell some used cars, my friend. But remember, it’s not about what you say you are, it’s about what your customers say you are. And that’s the gospel truth.
AI generated ~ fully curated and edited by P. Aitch
Mr. bat from bear creek, I meant. Apologies, and thank you fellows who called to correct me.
Arlo Blunt
Those who are of the naive opinion that conficts of interest are in any way “pretty clear cut and understood” are all the more likely to fall into them.
https://ethics.ubc.ca/peoplemcdonaldconflict-htm/
DaveFN–Yes since Watergate there is more fine print in the conflict of interest in the public sector laws. But..if it looks like a duck, waddles like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. If a person has any doubt, that it might be a goose, one should consult a lawyer before committing to a proposition. God knows there are plenty of lawyers wandering around the Capitol, plus the Attorney General’s office, plus the LRC. Plus,doesn’t the Legislature have an ethics committee for both houses…whoops, nope, the Republicans have abolished ethics committees.
Lots of whining, lots of finger pointing, lots of excuses, lots of bad decisions by the so-called leaders of the State (or is it Bank?) of South Dakota. Lots of public taxpayer dollars gone to private accounts…as usual…
I did not mean to neglect to include Mr. Blundt, and our old friend Mr. Arndt, and of course Mr. DaveFN from the legal-minded fellows who I invite to answer grudznick’s question above. Not the AI generated nonsense spewed by Mr. P.h, but the question from a real blogging human, grudznick (not grudznAIck.)
Did you fellows know that the Freedom Caucuses. a loosely knit group insaner than most, is out there trying to burn down nice conservative fellows without realizing they are probably exposing spending that will fry a number of their own members. It is tough to respect a group that doesn’t have public breakfast meetings, like the Freedom Caucuses do not do. Mr. Randoph, you and Mr. Howie need to stop hiding from the truths.
“… But your constant political attacks on my person, my beliefs, and my opinions only bold well …” The word you’re looking for is bode. “… opinions only bode well…”
I moved to Sioux Falls in 2003. Never heard the name Zitterich until recently. And your response to Ditca is hypocritical but also amusing.
Does KLAN have any connection to NOEM Insurance Agency?😁 A nice PPP check is listed there. Do they still have the ice cream shop and hunting lodge? I don’t know the names of these two businesses so did not search for PPP info.
Got grudznichts goat. #laughing
😂 (Not the AI generated nonsense spewed by Mr. P.h,)
#FossilizedOpinionsFromFossilizedOpiners
For those who are interested, I have placed my concept to CREATE A BETTER SIOUX FALLS on next week’s agenda of the Sioux Falls Charter Revision Commission.
It is an attempt to create a better representative government here in Sioux Falls. The goal is to create smaller political districts if 1 member per 29,000 residents, meaning allowing the redistricting commission more authority to add or remove districts to reshape the political landscape.
Striking out the words 5 Districts and 8 member council to read simply :
The composition shall be made of a mayor plus an odd numbered council with at least two members being elected as at-large chairs.
This will allow the make up if the council to change as the population increases or decreases.
Smaller populated districts mean, the REPS are much closer to the people. Meaning they have more in common with them, while your at-large reps proyect the entire surface area from a direct democracy.
There is another group coming forward with a concept to remove the mayor from the council. I opppse that move, but in turn, countered them by establishing the ODD numbered council plus the mayor, meaning he no longer is needed to break ties, but I would promote strengthening his veto powers.
To read my proposal please click the link below:
https://www.siouxfallscommunitychronicle.com/local-affairs
This is my second submission of proposing concepts to the commission, in 2021, I pitched the same proposal, coming back this year to keep the discussion alive.
The goal is to adopt a resolution of asking the mayor and council to put in place a redistricting commission foe 2024 to 2030 thanks to the fact that the current mayor and next council (2024-2028) will get to redistrict the city twice over the next 6 years (2027 and 2031) thanks to the City reaching the 15% population increase by 2027 and the federal census in 2030.
It’s a pleasure to work with the C.R.C folks cause they are some if the nicest and easiest people to have a public discussion with.
I am hoping to play a huge role in shaping the city for the next 50 years, remaining a conservative balance of managing the city.
I look forward to all your thoughts, call me 605 376 0527
As foe the ZITTERICH name, I can’t anywhere with out 1 if every 3 people knowing who I am thanks my families automotive repair shop, my used car lot, and the motorsports family. Now, on top of that, I have many people thank me for standing up for their rights, beliefs, values.
South Dalota is a Great State…
Count me as non interested in your tripe dude
I joined several Faceberg pages throughout South Dakota and Lee Schoenbeck is nearly universally hated by the far white wing of the SDGOP. That needs to be exploited.
Mr. Zitterich, will your plea to the Commission be tape recorded somewhere in the bowels of the city government blog or websites or youtubes?
PS: tighten up your bloggings, please.
Jerry, I am sorry bud. Not taking an active roll in politics and working with your fellow citizens is not a good look for you. Talking crap on a social media blog even worse. Some of you seem to talk alot of crap against people,however, you fail to show up when it matters. Typical Democrat gang banger.
I’m a thirty year volunteer for DSCC, DCCC and DLCC charged with South Dakota as a territory but nobody in those organizations believes a Democrat can win any statewide race in the red moocher state. The only reason 2018 Democratic gubernatorial candidate Billie Sutton got any SDGOP crossover votes whatsoever is because Kristi Noem is loathed by almost half her caucus. Vote margins in the other statewide races proved that. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Brendan Johnson or Bernie Hunhoff would have done at least as well.
If I was a cannabis lobbyist in South Dakota I would draft a resolution acknowledging there is a segment of the population who believes some medical procedures are offensive to some voters as a compromise to principled conservatives. Republicans preach civil rights for human zygotes but deny the protections of the First, Fourth and Ninth Amendments to people who enjoy cannabis. Democrats should pounce on that.
Lee Schoenbeck is in the legislature to protect his biggest client—the Sioux Falls Diocese. It’s just that simple.
Lee has kompromat on Marty Jackley and on Mrs. Noem and will use any means necessary to protect his biggest client.
grudznick has kompromat on many more than Mr. Schoenbeck.
Sex with goats is old news in SDGOP history, for sure.
“P. Aitch
2023-08-08 17:59
Well, listen up, Mike Zitterich. I gotta break it to ya. So here goes: labeling yourself as an honest, fair, and kind used car salesman just doesn’t cut it. You can’t simply declare yourself as such and expect everybody to buy into it lock, stock, and barrel. It don’t work like that, my friend.”
Customer reviews posted online are not favorable to the used car salesman/business owner. They’re everything that I expected I would find. And more.
grudznick vouches that Mr. Zitterich used to sell used cars.
“P. Aitch
2023-08-08 17:59
Well, listen up, Mike Zitterich. I gotta break it to ya. So here goes: labeling yourself as an honest, fair, and kind used car salesman just doesn’t cut it. You can’t simply declare yourself as such and expect everybody to buy into it lock, stock, and barrel. It don’t work like that, my friend.”
Along that line Poe Ballantine has also noted that
Love & Terror on the Howling Plains of Nowhere
You could graft peach tree splints and then you could grow peaches as well as other stuff.I suppose he could then pass himself off as a peach tree.,
Let us be real, you fellows out there. Mr. Zitterich is not a real tree, and we don’t need to mislead people if they are actually listening to some of you libbie fellows on this particular blogging place.
Mr. Zitterich is a person, not a tree. He used to sell used cars. These are indisputable facts, and the facts are indisputable. Also, he has very loose bloggings on this here blogging place.
Mike Zitterich has the courage to sign his name to his work.
Indeed. One of the several reasons grudznick is a voucher for Mr. Zitterich. If he still sold used cars, I’d even consider looking at his wares.
Mike Z. makes Sibby look like a slobbering algae feeder.
Anyone who doesn’t know the SDGOP is facing its own reckoning isn’t Lee Schoenbeck.