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Impeached AG Ravnsborg faces disciplinary hearing Feb. 14

Jason Ravnsborg during a 2019 interview on SDPB's "South Dakota Focus."
SDPB
Jason Ravnsborg during a 2019 interview on SDPB's "South Dakota Focus."

Former South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg is facing a disciplinary hearing before the state Supreme Court in mid-February.

The case stems from Ravnsborg’s role in a fatal crash that ultimately led to his impeachment and removal from office.

The complaint was filed by then-Clay County state's attorney Alexis Tracy. She was one of the lead prosecutors in the Senate impeachment trial. Tracy now works for Attorney General Marty Jackley.

According to a findings of fact report filed by the South Dakota Bar last year, Ravnsborg still considers the investigation into his conduct following the fatal crash politically motivated. The report said he feels the same way about the complaint submitted by Tracy.

The May 2023 report said Ravnsborg has not practiced law since his removal from office in June of 2022. He said he intends to seek a position in an undetermined jurisdiction, while still maintaining the option to return to private practice.

The South Dakota Bar is recommending suspending Ravnsborg’s law license for 26 months. The recommended punishment would be retroactive, meaning if the Supreme Court agrees with the recommendation Ravnsborg could practice law again in August.

The Supreme Court will hear arguments on the disciplinary case Feb. 14, at 9 a.m. CST in the court chambers in the capitol in Pierre.

A decision on Ravnsborg's law license is expected at a later time.

Lee Strubinger is SDPB’s Rapid City-based politics and public policy reporter. Lee is a two-time national Edward R. Murrow Award winning reporter. He holds a master’s in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois-Springfield.