PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) — Hours after Gov. Kristi Noem announced she was calling on Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg to resign, members of the South Dakota House of Representatives filed a resolution proposing two Articles of Impeachment to remove Ravnsborg from office.
“The Attorney General has a special obligation to follow the laws and protect the public,” said Republican Representative Will Mortenson (District 24) in a statement. “Jason Ravnsborg’s actions and statements related to the death of Joseph Boever breached those obligations to the people of South Dakota, and he should be removed from office.”
Article XVI of the South Dakota Constitution grants the House of Representatives the sole authority to bring an impeachment action against a state official like the Attorney General. The resolution included two separate Articles of Impeachment, one concerning the crimes and misdemeanors that caused the death of Joseph Boever on September 12, 2020 and one concerning the statements and actions of Jason Ravnsborg in reporting the crime and the resulting investigation.
Last week, Emily Sovell, the Hyde County deputy state’s attorney, announced she had charged Ravnsborg with three 2nd-class misdemeanors.
The charges are operating a vehicle while using a mobile electronic device, illegal lane change, and careless driving moments before the death of 55-year-old Highmore resident Joe Boever, who was struck and killed while walking on the shoulder of Highway 14 west of Highmore last September.
Tuesday afternoon, Governor Noem added her support for the impeachment of Ravnsborg.
Tuesday night, the South Dakota Department of Public Safety released two interviews that were conducted with Ravnsobrg.
View the full interviews:
The private media spokesperson representing Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg contacted some media in South Dakota while House members discussed the articles of impeachment.
The statement reads:
“The Attorney General does not intend to resign. At no time has this issue impeded his ability to do the work of the office. Instead, he has handled some of the largest settlements and legislative issues the state has ever been through. As an attorney and a Lt. Colonel in the Army Reserves, AG Ravnsborg has fought for the rule of law and personal liberties and would hope that he is afforded the same right and courtesy.”
