Ex-Coroner: Elected System Can Mean Conflicts of Interest

ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP) — A former coroner for Minnehaha County says South Dakota's system of elected coroners can lead to potential conflicts of interest.

Brad Randall retired from his position in the southeastern South Dakota county in 2010. He tells the Aberdeen American News that the system can lead to funeral directors being elected as coroner. He says that's particularly troubling in smaller counties.

Randall says honest people could still end up getting extra funerals, and says coroners should be appointed instead.

Brown County coroner Michael Carlsen says he knows that perception, and that he's extra cautious when asking about funeral arrangements.

The coroners system works differently in South Dakota's two most populous counties. In Minnehaha County, the appointed coroner is also called a medical examiner. Pennington County's sheriff is also its coroner.

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