AG: Former state employee obtained $400,000 in loans using fake vehicle titles

(The Center Square) - A now-deceased former state employee allegedly forged 13 vehicle titles to obtain almost $400,000 in fraudulent loans, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley said Thursday.

The State Department of Revenue contacted Jackley's office in February. The Division of Criminal Investigation conducted the probe with the cooperation of the Department of Revenue and the governor's office, Jackley said in a news release. The alleged forgeries occured between 2016 and 2023, he said.

"There is no evidence that others were involved in this criminal activity," Jackley said. "Since the former employee has passed away, no charges will be filed.”

Jackley did not identify the employee, who worked for the South Dakota Division of Motor Vehicles.

This is the second time a state employee has been accused of misconduct in the past few weeks.

Lonna Carroll, 68, of Algona, Iowa, a former employee of Child Protection Services in Hughes County, is accused of taking $1.8 million over 13 years.

Members of South Dakota's Government Operations and Audit Committee asked Auditor General Russell Olson last month why the theft was not detected earlier but received few answers.

The committee will meet again in October to discuss the theft.

"My intent is when we come into October, if you want to Clint Eastwood it, we will--the good, the bad and the ugly," said Committee Chairman Ernie Otten, R-Tea. "We find out what went on and how do we stop it."