Another former state government employee in South Dakota is facing charges stemming from work she did for two state agencies. A Hughes County Grand Jury delivered the indictment against 55 year old Renee Strong of Springfield on Tuesday (Dec. 17, 2024). She’s accused of forging and falsifying food service inspection reports while performing inspections for the Department of Health through a contract with the Department of Public Safety. She’s charged with 13 Class 6 felony counts of Offering False or Forged Instruments for Filing or Recording in a Public Office and 13 Class 5 felony counts of Forgery. Each Class 6 felony carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, a $4,000 fine or both. Each Class 5 felony has a maximum sentence of five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both. Strong is the fifth state government employee to face charges in South Dakota this year (2024). In October (Oct. 9, 2024), former Department of Revenue employee Lynne Hunsley of Pierre was indicted on five felonies and two misdemeanor charges accusing her of using her position with the Division of Motor Vehicles to falsify records over a 2.5 year time span (between Jan. 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023). In a related case, Danielle Degenstein, also of Pierre, was charged with Misprison of a Felony, meaning she knew a felony crime was happening, but didn’t report it to authorities (a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of one year in custody, a $2,000 fine or both). In August (Aug. 16, 2024), Attorney General Marty Jackley announced there would be no charges filed against Sandra O’Day of Pierre, who is now deceased. The former state Revenue Department employee was accused of making fraudulent transactions that were used to secure almost $400,000 worth of loans at banks between 2016 and 2023. In July (July 17, 2024), 68 year old Lonna Carroll was charged with two felony counts of Aggravated Grand Theft. She’s accused of stealing an estimated $1.8 million in state and federal funds from the Child Protection Services program, while working as a state employee between 2010 and 2023. Jackley says crimes of this nature violate the public’s trust and affect public health. He says he intends to introduce legislation during the 2025 legislative session that would “enhance accountability, improve transparency and better protect South Dakota taxpayers.” South Dakota’s Division of Criminal Investigation investigated the case and the Attorney General’s Office will prosecute. The Department of Public Safety and the Hughes County State’s Attorney’s Office have cooperated in the investigation. All of the defendants are presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.