The Government Operations and Audit Committee of the South Dakota Legislature has been looking into the use of state funds in the EB-5 visa case. That federal program allows foreign nationals a resident visa if they invest in an American business that creates jobs.

That program is at the center of an ongoing investigation into the circumstances that led to the bankruptcy of the Northern Beef Packing plant in Aberdeen, and the suicide of former state Economic Development Director Richard Benda. A resolution to subpoena Joop Bollen, who is also connected to the EB-5 program failed to get a second at the meeting last week.

Committee member, Senator Jean Hunhoff of Yankton says they are waiting for the federal investigation to wrap up…

 

Hunhoff says the US Justice Department has more resources to investigate…

Hunhoff says the committee could revisit the subpoena option after the federal investigation is concluded…

A state investigation found that about half a million dollars was misdirected in connection with Northern Beef Packers.