SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO) — The Government Accountability Board (GAB) discussed two complaints in executive session during a meeting Monday morning in Sioux Falls.

Two items were discussed during the meeting dealing with two complaints, called 2025-4 and 2025-1.

The complaint 2025-4 was heard first before the board and was dismiss due to the individual not meeting the statutory criteria in the complaint.

2 SF residents arrested after gunshot while intoxicated

The other item, 2025-1, was referred to the South Dakota Disciplinary Board of the State Bar of South Dakota for review without any recommendation from this board.

The role of the GAB is to review and investigate individuals holding statewide office, as well as any employees of the state’s executive branch. Their scope includes the following:

• Allegations of impropriety related to any contract, grant, or loan with any public entity that provides the authority to any other entity to expend public funds.
• Documents filed under chapter 3-23 or alleged violations relating to conflicts of interest.
• Allegations of a direct or indirect interest in a contract in violation of the constitution or law.
• Allegations of malfeasance.
• Allegations of misappropriation of public funds.
• Allegations of use of false instruments to obtain public funds.
• Allegations of theft or embezzlement of public funds.
• Allegations of bribery.
• Allegations of use of public money not authorized by law or in violation of the constitution.

In the event that the board believes there is reasonable cause to believe that a crime has been committed, it can refer any information, report, or complaint it receives to the DCI for investigation. If the DCI believes a law has been violated, they would, in turn, refer the matter to a state’s attorney or the attorney general for prosecution.

The board also has the option, if a majority of the members of the board vote that there is sufficient information to believe that a statewide office holder or executive branch employee has engaged in misconduct related to any of the allegations listed above, the board has the power to hold a contested case hearing.

The activities of the board must be reported annually to the people, the Governor, and the Legislature, and must include data regarding any allegations of violations of subdivisions of § 3-24-3, including the number of reports filed, complaints received, number of unique persons filing complaints or reports, and hearings conducted by the board.

The board may not disclose information that is not subject to disclosure under state law.