South Dakota AG: Former state employee used fake titles to gain loans

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Another former state employee has been found using her position in state government to make extra money, the South Dakota Attorney General’s office announced Thursday.

According to a news release, the Division of Criminal Investigation found a former employee forged 13 vehicle titles between 2016 and 2023 resulting in $400,000 worth of loans. The former employee later identified by the AG’s office was Sandra O’Day. O’Day has died and no charges will be filed.

“The Attorney General’s Office was contacted in February of 2024 by the state Department of Revenue after the agency reported a former Division of Motor Vehicles employee had created a false/fraudulent motor vehicle title,” Attorney General Marty Jackley said in a news release. “There is no evidence that others were involved in this criminal activity.”

This is the second investigation involving a state employee this year after Jackley announced a former Department of Social Services employee stole more than $1.7 million.

Lonna Carroll, 68, was arrested July 17 after a grand jury indicted the former program assistant on two counts of aggravated grand theft. Her arraignment is scheduled for August 27.

The matter surfaced after employees in the state Department of Social Services found financial discrepancies in February.

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