Immediate Release: Thursday, March 24, 2016
Contact: Michael Ewald, Communications Director, (605) 271-5405, press@sddp.org
Dems: New information means new investigation
Sioux Falls, SD (March 24, 2016)-
The South Dakota Democratic Party responded to reports the Department of Education received whistleblower information as early as 2006 and then again in 2010 and 2011 that misconduct was occurring at Mid Central Education Cooperative related to the administration of federal GEAR UP grants.
“There’s a new damning puzzle piece found everyday that puts together an ugly picture of wasted energy, broken dreams, and a loss of confidence that will take decades to restore,” said South Dakota Democratic Party Communications Director Michael Ewald.
Three former employees of Mid-Central Education Cooperative are charged with felonies related to alleged illegal activity at the institution that cost taxpayers more than $1 million.
“If these allegations are proven to be true, there needs to be a greater investigation into the mismanagement of funds at the Department of Education and possibly throughout all state government. We need to enact safeguards like an ethics commission to stop these tragedies,” said Ewald. “Lapses this troubling beg the question what else might be occurring right under our noses?”
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