South Dakota’s Attorney General, Marty Jackley, has set a deadline for State Senator Jessica Castleberry to resolve allegations of illegally accepting over $600,000 in COVID relief funds for her daycare business, Little Nest Preschool.
The deadline requires her to either reimburse the money or reach an agreement with the state by this week.
While it’s unclear if Castleberry will repay the funds, Jackley’s office acknowledged her cooperation.
Castleberry faced accusations of conflict of interest due to her involvement in state agencies that administered the funds.
Despite her claims of following laws, the situation has spurred discussions among lawmakers regarding the Constitution’s conflict-of-interest provision and the need for clearer guidelines.
Castleberry has also announced she won’t seek re-election in 2024.