The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office says its investigation of an Edmunds County farmer, Julie Burgod, who questioned the impact of a proposed mega-dairy, was entirely unrelated to the incoming 25,000-head operation.
However, the state’s timing is noteworthy. Less than 24 hours after Burgod spoke out about the mega-dairy at a County Commissioner meeting on July 29, a Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) agent came calling at her Aberdeen office.
Burgod says the state’s claim of mere happenstance, released by email to Agweb, is “absurd.”
“They can say anything they want, but it’s obvious what is going on here,” Burgod contends.
Further Action
“In response to an Agweb article (Targeted? South Dakota Farmer Criminally Investigated After Questioning Mega-Dairy Construction), the SD Attorney General’s Office released the following on September 2:
At the request of local authorities, the Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) examined a residency complaint involving a candidate for Edmunds County Commission, Julie Burgod, based on her address as a candidate for office and her owner-occupied real estate tax status, which allegedly conflicted. DCI reviewed the complaint, gave the party the opportunity to be interviewed and heard, and ultimately determined that it was a matter for the Department of Revenue to review.
Despite public comment, the review was for alleged inconsistencies with a candidate’s residency designation and owner-occupied tax status designation and had nothing to do with agriculture, zoning, a dairy, or a lagoon holding pond runoff.
In accordance with SDCL 10-1-6.1, matters involving potential violations of Title 10, which include residency and owner-occupied tax status, fall within the investigative authority of the Department of Revenue.
All factual findings on residency for elective office and owner-occupied tax status have been sent to the Department of Revenue for review and, if appropriate, further action.
In a county of 4,000 people, where Burgod farms, runs a crop insurance business, and is commissioner-elect taking office in January, DCI contends it received a complaint about Burgod, and then started an investigation.
Per DCI, a supervisory agent drove two hours on July 30 to locate Burgod at her office for the “opportunity to be interviewed and heard,” over a residency designation. Her highly contentious opposition to a mega-dairy hovering in the background was coincidental—according to DCI.
Disclosure
Burgod is opposed to an incoming dairy to Edmunds County owned by Minnesota-based Riverview LLP. Edmunds County has dairies, but nothing to compare with Riverview’s proposal: Belle Dairy, 25,000-head across 640 acres. From acres to cow weight to manure output, Belle Dairy’s projected numbers have significant discrepancies, Burgod says.
On July 14, Burgod reported potential ordinance violations related to Belle Dairy to Edmunds County officials. On July 20, she delivered a formal complaint to the Zoning Board. On July 29, at a County Commissioner meeting, she again outlined her concerns. On July 30, DCI knocked at Burgod’s office with potential charges related to a “complaint of fraud.” The DCI agent, Darin Sinner, possessed a copy of Burgod’s July 20 complaint she filed with the Zoning Board, and a copy of her voter registration form.
Two weeks after DCI’s on-site visit, Burgod sent a certified mail request to the SD Attorney General’s Office asking for information related to the complaint filed against her. Specifically, Burgod sought disclosure of the precise allegations and complainant’s identity.
The SD Attorney General’s Office has not acknowledged or responded to Burgod’s request.
Citizens and Taxpayers
Burgod is not buying DCI’s explanation. “I am perplexed how the narrative has changed to owner occupied status on property tax. That issue was never addressed with me at any time.”
“They had my voter registration and the complaint that I filed with the zoning officer,” she continues. “Additionally, DCI came and investigated the neighbors who signed my petition to run for commissioner. How do these actions relate to owner occupied status?”
“I thought our AG was in office to protect the citizens and taxpayers of South Dakota. Since when does he handle owner occupied property tax issues? If this was truly a property tax issue, then why was it not handled right where it should have been handled at the Edmunds County Zoning Office? Why did a complaint need to be elevated to the AG for the state of South Dakota?”
“I am County Commissioner elect,” Burgod concludes. “I won the primary in June. I will take office in January. If there were residency issues, why were they not addressed by the Auditor and Director of Equalization when I filed my petition as candidate back in March?”
For more from Chris Bennett (@ChrisBennettMS or cbennett@farmjournal.com or 662-592-1106), see:
Corn and Cocaine: Roger Reaves and the Most Incredible Farm Story Never Told
How the Deep State Tried, and Failed, to Crush an American Farmer
Game of Horns: Iowa Poacher’s Antler Addiction Leads to Historic Bust
Ghost Cattle: $650M Ponzi Rocks Livestock Industry, Money Still Missing
When Conservation Backfires: Landowner Defeats Feds in Mindboggling Private Property Case
