A Democratic congressional candidate has called for an independent audit of all federal programs administered by state boards and agencies following news Monday that the state should have recognized the potential for conflicts of interest within a Platte educational cooperative.
“The experience we have had with the EB5 program and now the Gear Up program suggests we may have a culture that is shot through with deceit and mismanagement,” U.S. Senate candidate Jay Williams said in a statement. “This audit should look carefully for conflict of interest issues, double billing for expenses and double salaries."
Williams said the Department of Legislative Audit effectively spotted problems in the South Dakota Department of Education's oversight of the Gear Up program, but all programs should face the same level of scrutiny to "clear the air."
“We need to work together to root out corruption. We need a fair, non-partisan investigation to ensure public money is being utilized responsibly,” Williams said.
Williams is set to face off against U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., at the polls in November.