South Dakota Legislators Vote to Subpoena Revenue Officials

The South Dakota Legislature's Government Operations and Audit Committee has voted 7-2 to issue subpoenas for Revenue Secretary Michael Houdyshell and Motor Vehicle Division Director Rosa Yaeger, following a vehicle titling scandal that has led to criminal charges against multiple former department employees. Houdyshell appeared before the committee but refused to disclose details about new internal controls during a closed-door session, citing ongoing criminal prosecutions and potential lawsuits. Senator David Wheeler criticized this stance, arguing that it impedes legislative oversight and is a recurring issue with the executive branch. The subpoenas are pending approval from the Legislature’s Executive Board, which is expected to convene soon. The scandal involves a fake titling scheme that defrauded lenders and has raised concerns about accountability within the department. Lawmakers are pushing for transparency to prevent similar issues in the future.