South Dakota lawmaker who advised Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg won't vote on impeachment

A state lawmaker who consulted South Dakota’s attorney common pursuing a deadly 2020 crash will not participate in any even more impeachment proceedings.

Rep. Scott Odenbach, R-Spearfish, informed leadership in the Household of Representatives Wednesday that he will recuse himself from any votes involving the opportunity impeachment of Jason Ravnsborg, who struck and killed a pedestrian with his vehicle on Sept. 12, 2020.

Earlier: South Dakota lawmaker gave Lawyer Common Jason Ravnsborg lawful suggestions following fatal crash

“New information studies have raised the challenge of a possible lawyer-shopper romantic relationship in between me and Legal professional Common Ravnsborg arising out of our discussions in the days pursuing his website traffic incident,” Odenbach wrote in a letter to Residence Speaker Spencer Gosch. “To keep away from even the look of impropriety, I am producing to let you know that I will be recusing myself from the Property vote and will not be attending the proceedings in Pierre on April 12th, 2022.”

Representative Scott Odenbach leans over to talk with Representative Randy Gross during the first day of the legislative session on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre. — Agent Scott Odenbach leans in excess of to chat with Representative Randy Gross through the first working day of the legislative session on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the South Dakota State Capitol in Pierre.

Not long ago introduced investigation documents compiled by legislation enforcement adhering to the dying of 55-yr-outdated Joe Boever showed Ravnsborg reached out to Odenbach following the crash that happened alongside Freeway 14 in Hyde County. Odenbach told investigators that he offered Ravnsborg with input on a assertion the lawyer basic released the day right after the crash.

Previously: South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg experienced 2 close phone calls with law enforcement in advance of crash

Jason Ravnsborg is shown in this 2019 file photo. — Jason Ravnsborg is revealed in this 2019 file picture.

The simply call prompted Dakota Institute for Legislative Answers, a nonprofit that touts by itself as a champion of Gov. Kristi Noem’s agenda, to target Odenbach with an attack ad that proposed Odenbach was covering for Ravnsborg. Dakota Institute also ran equivalent ads focusing on members of the Dwelling Pick Committee on Investigation, which past week issued a formal suggestion that the legal professional basic not be impeached for his carry out relevant to Boever’s death.

The code of perform in the point out Legislature calls for legislators to keep away from conflicts of fascination that interfere or influence their duties as legislators.

The point out Household will convene at 11 a.m. Tuesday to contemplate the committee’s advice and any Articles of Impeachment submitted in advance of the proceeding.

This report initially appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Lawmaker who suggested Ravnsborg recuses himself from impeachment vote