Audit: State Should Have Addressed GEAR up Grant Risks

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A state auditor says the Department of Education should have seen the potential for conflicts of interest at a Platte-based educational cooperative that previously managed South Dakota's GEAR UP grant.

The Argus Leader reports that auditors found key employees at Mid-Central Educational Cooperative also worked at other organizations that received GEAR UP funds from the co-op.

The Department of Legislative Audit said in the audit released Monday that the Department of Education should have put additional policies in place to monitor the exchange of funds.

Attorney General Marty Jackley says investigators found that a couple who died in a murder-suicide last year stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds from Mid-Central.

Three people facing felony charges stemming from the criminal investigation have their initial court appearances on Tuesday.

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