Sen. Casey Crabtree, R-Madison (left), and Sen. David Wheeler, R-Huron, listen to Rep. Tony Venhuizen, R-Sioux Falls, testify in a legislative committee on Jan. 24, 2024. (Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)
An October legislative meeting proved to be frustrating for lawmakers. For reporters, it offered the sweet taste of vindication.
Lawmakers approve orders requiring state officials to talk privately about vehicle title scandal
At issue during the meeting of the Legislature’s Government Operations and Audit Committee was the refusal of Department of Revenue Secretary Michael Houdyshell to discuss—in public or behind closed doors—changes made in his department after two former employees were indicted in a fake vehicle-titling scheme. Houdyshell’s appearance was also sparked by the revelation that another former employee—since deceased—created 13 fake vehicle titles to secure bank loans that she did not repay.
Houdyshell cited ongoing criminal cases and the prospect of civil lawsuits from defrauded banks as reasons for his refusal to give lawmakers the information they sought. Lawmakers were so frustrated that they voted to subpoena Houdyshell and Rosa Yeager, director of the Revenue Department’s Motor Vehicle Division, to compel them to testify before the committee.