Former South Dakota US Senate Candidate Clayton Walker Gets Probation

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Former South Dakota U.S. Senate candidate Clayton Walker has avoided jail time for election law violations.

Judge John Brown on Tuesday gave Walker a two-year suspended sentence, ordered him to complete 200 hours of community service and told him to get a mental health evaluation within 30 days. Walker declined comment after the sentencing.

Brown also ordered Walker to pay costs and fees related to three court-appointed attorneys who withdrew from his case over the past year, saying Walker was difficult to work with. Brown estimated the amount at several thousand dollars.

Walker in July pleaded guilty to one count of submitting false petitions and one count of perjury, two days before he was to stand trial on multiple felony charges.

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