Ravsnborg calls impeachment inquiry 'a political process'

Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg is responding to accusations of inconsistencies in his interviews following a fatal crash in 2020.

North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation agents interviewed Ravnsborg twice in the days following the incident.

Those agents testified to a South Dakota legislative impeachment committee recently. They said there were discrepancies in Ravnsborg's statements about what happened the night of the fatal crash.

Ravnsborg says people need to look closely at the details of the agents’ testimony and move past the headlines. He spoke to reporters Thursday during an impromptu interview at the state Capitol.

“I was willing to take a lie detector test. I was willing to go to North Dakota and they said—I took their testimony to basically say they didn’t want me to, because they knew I’d tell the truth,” Ravnsborg says. “I think that speaks volumes.”

Investigators declined to give Ravnsborg a lie-detector test, saying he was not a good candidate for one.

Crash reconstructionists said Ravnsborg was driving on the shoulder of the road when he struck and killed Joe Boever. Ravnsborg has said the collision took place in the middle of the road. Ravnsborg declined to comment on whether his tires hit the rumble strips on the shoulder.

“I guess I will remain—I will keep a statement when the time is right about what I believe happened with the accident and reserve comment at this time,” Ravnsborg says.

Ravnsborg says he’s been monitoring the impeachment inquiry.

“I would just say it’s a political process and we’re watching it. That’s how it’s been since day one, a political process."

Ravnsborg declined to say whether he will seek re-election this year. He says he’ll make an announcement when the time is appropriate.