One of the central figures in the EB-5 controversy says he has been and will continue to answer questions around the history of the economic development program.

Former Governor Mike Rounds says he has been working with investigators from the start…

 

The state was using the federal visa program to draw foreign investments for state development projects. Former state Economic Development Director Richard Benda was found dead in a rural area near Lake Andes last October. He was later tied to a misappropriation of a half million dollars of state money.

 

Rounds says he will continue to work with any active investigation…

 

He says much of the controversy around the issue is tied to politics…

 

US Attorney Brendan Johnson has refused to confirm that a federal investigation is underway.