stream WebOur special agents are full-spectrum criminal investigators, handling all manners of felony-level criminal activity. There is nothing in our legal system that says the public can not scrutinize public cases and come to our own conclusions. }1-"y, b.|7h" i>1d&1 I once saw a group of about a dozen DCI agents called from all over the state to testify at a trial as they arrived and gathered in a courthouse lobby. WebThe DCIs work isnt always about enforcement: its about education, too! Kaiser again said she didn't want to wait for the money and refused to sign any agreement until she had the checks in hand. %PDF-1.5 Kaiser was transferred to Pierre, demoted from Special Agent III to Special Agent II and moved to a less desirable position. Ms Zylstra Kaiser encountered the same players involved in the events that led up to the malicious prosecution of Taliferro-Schwab, including Kim Dorsett. Did you know the U of MN has a very active police force of their own to try and fight back all the horrible crimes that are occurring on that campus? P.O. Its extremely rare that I hear women made fun of or harassed here. I just do not understand why everyone must make this about politics because it is not. The jury found that Kaiser suffered retaliation and gender discrimination after she complained of sexual harassment by one of her colleagues in October 2011. VY9H~d&D#iu.QUCoHB(L}~JOI:xw9x0Gh=,~]\c"r-)o!Jx_%1+^Iy$UYXc,WE Kaiser said she's not sure what Jackley's role in her settlement was, but believes blame for the delay partially falls on him. In October 2011, Kaiser confided in fellow DCI agent, Mark Black, about how to respond to Ericksons harassment. <> Were anticipating special agent openings in all investigative areas across the state, so learn more about what it means to be a DCI Special Agent and how you can apply by visiting http://ow.ly/WcWn50Ii1XtSee more MC, a preponderance of evidence shows that kind of behavior is common place. There are just too many smart capable women in power. Her DCI supervisors accused her of failing at numerous job categories which just months earlier were graded as meets or exceeds expectations. In August 2011, Kaiser was ranked as meets or exceeds in every job category. Fax: (605) 330-4860 State of South Dakota Board of Pharmacy Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Weighing onZylstra Kaisers mind, though, was a 2005 experience in which shehad reported another co-worker for sexual harassmentand gotten the wrong response from the boss: Her then-supervisor, Assistant Director Brian Zeeb, said her complaint could be seen as a sign of weakness and made a comment along the lines of, In the future, if you want a promotion or transfer to a new duty station, some may see this incident as your inability to get along with others. Rather than undertaking an investigation, Zeeb forced her to confronther harasser. Black complained to DCI supervisors that Kaiser created a hostile work environment. Severson initially came to Centerville on August 18, In our society we do have courts of laws that seek the truth, in South Dakota justice is what the republican party says it is, and we also have the court of public opinion which can be as valuable as a court of law. Popular Locations. DCI said they didn't have it. That seems to be SOP for the DCI for a while now. endstream Males need to change other males. Kaiser was hired by DCI in 2003, and worked for eight years as a special agent on the Drug Task Force, a collaborative team consisting of officers from DCI, the Brown County Sherriffs Office and the Aberdeen Police Department. /Name /PAGE0001 Anyone know if Marty has to recuse himself from this case before a federal judge? I truly doubt it many other individuals would have endured what she has and kept on fighting to get to this point. Black then met with Erickson, DCI agent Dave Lunzman and Brown County Sherriffs Deputy Damien Bahr at a local park. Makes one wonder if DCI does anything right. I also tried to initiate the Commencement of Proceedings for the Removal of Law Enforcement Officer upon written complaint of a citizen of the State (SDCL 3-17-6) with Service and Notice to SD Attorney General of the Waiver of Sovereign Immunity (SDCL 21-32-18) of the Defendant, but a corrupt Judge in Beadle County illegally prevented the Clerk of Courts from filing it. Kaiser then confronted Erickson one-on-one and asked him to stop the harassment. Sad, really, we were the greatest country on earth, and we cant even get this right. 4 0 obj More Highway Patrol Trooper South Dakota State Government <>>> A couple years ago I was visiting friends in RC and overheard a group at the next table making fun of the women there. She was living away from her husband and baby. Plaintiff considered his offer but decided she would speak to Erickson herself. It will be interesting to see how much this one will cost as the ags office will probably have to farm out the defense of this. Purpose: Supervises Division of WebAbout us. I say so here and now. There will be no trial and South Dakota will settle for an undisclosed amount of cash. Do any of you know the complex and exhausting process Laura Kaiser had to go through before she could actually file this type of complaint in both Federal and State Court? My Mother first reported these crimes to agent Joshua Bobzein who was so horrible that I actually had to file a criminal complaint against Bobzein. South Dakota DCI @SouthDakotaDCI Jun 4 In May, DCI Agents joined in a ceremony honoring the late Special Agent Tom Matthews Sr. and former Butte County Sheriff Dave Malcolm, who were both slain in the line of duty in 1946. Jackley's office issued this statement about the delay of Kaiser's settlement on Tuesday: "The State of South Dakota confirms today that the State of South Dakota has finalized the Laura Zylstra Kaiser lawsuit. $20 says this thing never goes to court and is settled for an undisclosed ammount. Not when they intend to use her to send a message. /Resources Disgusted that Mrs Kaiser had to put up with such criminal behavior by a co-worker and then her supervisors. Kaiser said as a result of her reporting the harassment that led to her forced resignation, she was unable to find another job in law enforcement. WebDCI Special Agent I or II State of South Dakota South Dakota, United States 3 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants See who State of South Dakota has hired for this role PLEASE ATTACH THE The next day is when things began to go awry. Whalen Law Office, P.C. 5 0 obj endobj This case and settlement was handled by the Governors Office of Risk Management and the States insurance company. 4 0 obj "My attorney made three attempts to contact the DCI attorney on different days -- no response. St~|AJtSZ]l!YBY?$@,!U82XV{/p*6)aPV%l[#gX[G|H5>>&AIX%q.&F%fF7vM4}"~W2(/:>)cS| a. The only thing left is for involuntary sex reassignment. http://www.ag.state.mn.us/ Sioux Falls, SD . They greeted each other with an extended ritual of feigned nut-grabbing and knee-lifts-to-groins that would have appeared immature among 10-year-olds, and was performed in front of the county treasurer and auditor windows. So, the bad guys got away; not because they were clever criminal masterminds, but because of the corruption and incompetence of SD DCI Law Enforcement. Over the past couple of years, Laura and I have compared our particular time lines along with documented facts and discovery. Kaiser said she did tell Rep. Kristi Noem her story about her experience, but didn't sign or agree to anything official to have it used against Jackley in Noem's campaign, however, "Kristi is free to use it," she said. Zylstra Kaiser filed grievances over the demotion and transferwith Gortmaker and Attorney General Marty Jackley. endobj c+g4]AjC`D93P=%OEY&TJ?2m;_e[F(Q\yv|.hxysU-nu#oRmX&{;=e|h=*)X+eZR~,-Erh? On or about October 20, 2011, Erickson told Plaintiff that Black had told the entire office about what was happening. WebSpecial Agent Cam Corey began his law enforcement career in 1998 as a Deputy Sheriff. <> In a court of law under one party rule,the truth is whatever the one party decides it is. WebDCI Special Agent I or II South Dakota State Government Statewide, SD. This lawsuit, wherever it leads, provides another window on the corruption that oozes from every crevice in state government, Benda, EB-5, the GEAR UP matter, and much other business the current regime in Pierre is involved in. Eventually the DCI attorney said, 'Well, we got a new phone system.'". << 2 0 obj MC, how often do you talk with your male friends about the need to strengthen sex crimes laws, make sure all the rape kits get tested, put more money into child protection, really go after dead beat dads, etc? Purpose: Conducts or assists with criminal I asked my friends if what they thought about the other table. Come on, people! Erickson said, Thats just the way I am, but Kaiser said that was not acceptable. "On February 28th I received a copy of that agreement," Kaiser said. She says shereceived positive performance reviews through mid-2011, when she says her mid-year evaluation praised her for her exceptional work product, ability to work amicably with other DCI agents and members of her task force, relentless work, and above-average case activity.. It looks like an impossible trial to get a verdict. 2 0 obj Little wonder that the misanthropes on the public dole who infest the halls at DCI are thuggish, criminally insane, entitled white guys living under their own rules instead of under the law. 7 0 obj The case is titled, Laura Zyltra Kaiser v. Bryan Gortmaker, in his Official Capacity as South Dakota Director of the Division of Criminal Investigation, 15-CV-1030. A memorial sign honoring their sacrifice was placed north of Spearfish on U.S. Highway 85. Kaiser said she was reluctant about telling her superiors and eventually was forced out of her post as retaliation for reporting it. The Director of the Division of Criminal Investigation, Bryan Gortmaker, first received the compromise settlement agreement and release in full of all claims on Friday, May 18, 2018. The DCI will get its day in court, but the question is how to give many other apparent miscreants their day in court. <>>> Former Division of Criminal Investigation special agent Laura Zylstra Kaiser of Aberdeen is suing DCI chief Bryan Gortmaker and former DCI agent Mark Black for hindering her employment. She now runs her own private investigation company. This law suit may lead the way. Based upon these dates, this settlement was not delayed. Web[1.] ", Former DCI agent receives $1.5 million settlement payment after months of delay, DEVELOPING: First responders on the scene at Husets Speedway after incident, Meteorologists Facebook post on grocery dividers sparks wild debate, Police: Two arrested in overnight burglary in Sioux Falls, 1 killed when business jet encounters severe turbulence, Frontier Climbing hosts first climbing competition in South Dakota, Washington Pavilion hosts free event to celebrate agriculture, Embe hosts FIRST LEGO League state championship, Fourth annual Womens Day of Service building hygiene kits. Eventually, she was WebTimothy R. Whalen, Esq. I think it important we look at the big picture and the intricate timeline that comes into place with Lauras sexual harassment lawsuit and the criminal acts by the same state players in the Schwab Taliaferro malicious prosecution case. WebSOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY prevention protection enforcement March 9, 2022 The Honorable Spencer Gosch Speaker of the House 500 E. Capitol Avenue Pierre, SD 57501 RE: HR 7001 Speaker Gosch: I understand that the House Select Committee on Investigation is close to concluding its work in examining the Near the end of February, Kaiser and her lawyer made a verbal agreement with the DCI attorney. 3 0 obj Nor is it about what is happening at the University of Minnesota. They were dated back to March. Kaiser said the DCI attorney met her in Redfield, at his request, to give her the two checks. Kaiser told Erickson to stop, but his comments persisted. Amendment S: Crime Victims Bill of Rights, Referred Law 19: Incumbent Protection Plan, Initiated Measure 21: 36% Rate Cap on Payday Loans, Initiated Measure 22: Anti-Corruption Act, Initiated Measure 23: Fair Share Union Dues, revved up their attack on Shirley Schwab and Brandon Taliaferro, Food-Tax Repeal Fails, But Spokesman Claims Noem Did Enough to Promote Promise, LaMie Declines to Investigate Senators for Exercising Legislative Authority over Boobgate Misconduct, Strizheuses Get 28 More Days to Rescue Mansion from Their Own Weak Legal Arguments, Pischke Asking for Criminal Prosecution of Frye-Muellers Suspenders, Crabtree: Senate Not Likely to Revive Food-Tax Repeal, But Noem Still a Hall-of-Famer, SB 149: Senate Approves Special Fund for All Those Yummy Medicaid Expansion Dollars from Uncle Sam, David Johnson Leads Minor Republican Opposition to Meyers Appointment to Board of Education Standards, Tobin Does Not Follow Through on Trying to Resurrect Noems Anti-China Farm Sale Audit Bill, Odenbachs Center for American Exceptionalism Fails to Get Two-Thirds Approval, Noem Fails to Get Food Tax Repeal Through Committee. Former DCI agent Laura Zylstra Kaiser says the state of South Dakota delayed paying her $1.5 million settlement, following a lawsuit over workplace sexual harassment. I have not only watched and observed her efforts these past 3 years but supported her every step of the way as well. In the meantime, let us all take a breath, put politics and rhetoric aside, and support this courageous young lady. Required fields are marked *. For Plaintiff was reassigned to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in Pierre, South Dakota, over 150 miles from Aberdeen, effective January 3, 2012. /PAGE0001 Do . Then comes Brown County Deputy Ross Erickson: In or about August 2011, Brown County Deputy Ross Erickson was assigned to the Drug Task Force. Your email address will not be published. In December 2011, following the work improvement plan, DCI informed Kaiser that effective January 3, 2012, she would be demoted from Special Agent III to Special Agent II and transferred to the Medicare Fraud unit in Pierre, South Dakota, away from her husband, Dan, an Aberdeen police officer, and fourteen month old child. We would have been better off reporting these crimes to the Girl Scouts. I acknowledge MCs point that there is surely more to the story. Finished: John D. MacDonald's 'The Brass Cupcake'. $100,000?" Job ID: 18640 Location: Statewide Step 1: Complete She was paid on Wednesday after several months of negotiations. Box 127 Lake Andes, SD 57356 Telephone: 605-487-7645 Attorney for Plaintiff and Appellant ______________________ Robert B. Anderson May, Adam, Gerdes & Thompson P.O. Thats hard to find in SD. /ProcSet 6 0 R Then those comments would be taken out of context and used against them. Child abuse cases ought to have the same standard. WebSTATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA CLASS SPECIFICATION Class Title: DCI Special Agent II Class Code: 688802 Pay Grade: L5 _____ A. 1 0 obj /XObject 1 0 obj Kaiser appealed the discipline to DCI and eventually to South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, but each of her appeals was denied. The court of public opinion is different than court of law. /Contents 5 0 R It caught my ear because it was so unusual to me. WebClass Title: DCI Special Agent III Class Code: 688804 Pay Grade: L6 _____ A. The Court must still decide front pay, which is wage loss post-trial, and attorneys fees. Kaiser told the texter all negotiations would continue to go through her Minneapolis-based attorney. WebSTATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA CLASS SPECIFICATION Class Title: DCI Special Agent Supervisor Class Code: 688805 Pay Grade: L7 _____ A. :"x?W YfP(iv7xE' w2^Pt6kJIy\jhQ"1Bjx Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Kaiser was on the drug task force in Aberdeen back in 2011, when she said a Brown County Sheriff's Deputy was appointed to the team and began sexually harassing her on a regular basis. Q She has been through hell and back and she deserves all of our support as she goes forward. 4 0 obj My country ranch church in northwest SD was like that. Maybe its the places I go or the people I know. Phone: (605) 330-4862 . Incremental steps have been taken to give the victim a little better chance. Kaiser said if Jackley wasn't involved, she's not sure why that mattered. On November 4, 2011, (the same day that Black interrogated the Mette children as BrownCounty and the DCIrevved up their attack on Shirley Schwab and Brandon Taliaferro in the Mette child rape case)Even put ZylstraKaiser on a 30-day Work Improvement Plan,the nine tasks of which included submitting to a psychological evaluation, which DCI had linked to her maternity leave even though Plaintiff had returned from leave nearly a year earlier and had received two positive performance reviews and a promotion since then. The WIP also ordered Zylstra Kaiser to rebuild positive relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and managers. Zylstra obeyed, butgotthe cold shoulder from co-workers, including Black, who allegedly told her on November 8, We are done. {H% Q"4#H" b+X)o)0QfxR%) sY&){%=@XIO}6GLqGpbZ}Z*JvE|*T9c427]L93a>]rO[ $Y9G$\gUf E@S|#8 z{LjS(}[v=]j>aTSy?7.ZSzvQ_e+*-Aq:)K=IooGwLMMqBR|r.k`,R&? No need for me romanticiz about the DCI, in my relationship with Kevin Thumb there was no love. None of the men, including Ross Erickson, were disciplined by DCI or the Brown County Sherriffs Office. The paperwork was signed and finalized by the Governors Office of Risk Management on Monday, May 21, 2018. In the court of public opinion, the truth doesnt matter, only how it is spun. Then in April 2012, DCI removed Kaisers state vehicle, told her she could no longer travel from Aberdeen to Pierre on state time, removed her daily stipend, and told her that she could no longer sleep at the police academy barracks in Pierre, where she slept during the week because her family could not afford a second home. Both grievances were denied. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Support South Dakotas best independent journalism: donate to. When they speak, I will report. Its likely that Mike Clark isnt crazy enough for Daugaard by somebody like Roger Hunt or Allen Unrubb might just be insane enough for Denny. No. I hope Zylstra Kaiser rips them to shreds. I hope my experience can give strength to other victims of sexual harassment. WebDowty v. D.C.I. So youre saying, Bob, dont just feign it? She seeks, among other things, a jury trial, compensatory relief and damages arising from loss of past and future income, benefits, emotional distress, and other damages, with interest on such amounts, and punitive damages in an amount in excess of $75,000, and lawyer fees. box 160 Pierre, SD 57501 Telephone: 605-224-8803 Attorneys for Defendant and Appellee _____________________ 3 0 obj A South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation agent is up for a national award, but he needs your help. Zylstra Kaiser says she went to work for the DCI Drug Task Force straight out law school in August 2003. Im not sympathetic to the cry of males being picked on.. LOCATION. With no other option, Kaiser resigned from DCI on May 8, 2012. /Subtype /Image stream Zylstra-Kaiser is doing the right thing by exposing them all. Yea. yeah, this is pretty much how sexual harassment is handled in this state, right grudz? And I have met with Jessica Page, who despite appearing to sincerely want to help the crime victim, was completely incompetent. Plaintiff apologized and stated that it was not her intent to have the office know about the issue. Agent Kaisers accusations are credible to me. I have seen situations were women have threaten sexual harassment, to get what what they want. WebDivision of Criminal Investigation Welcome to the DCI Website. In October 2011, Zylstra talked with fellow female agent Jessica Page about Ericksons harassment, and Page took the same position: reporting Erickson would only lead to trouble. Deb G, I could never see this good olboy mentality happening in MN. "It was communicated to my attorneys that there had been a storm and part of a roof came off a building so Bryan Gortmaker is not available," Kaiser said. When called to account, Black allegedly turned against Zylstra Erickson: Later that day, Plaintiff approached Black and asked why he shared her personal information. This is so wrong and. Women are not perfect. The language of the settlement agreement states the following: The payment will be made by delivering the checks to Kaisers attorneys so that the checks are in their hands no sooner than May 21, 2018, but in no event later than June 8, 2018. >> Purpose: Conducts investigations Governor Signs Ban on Gender-Affirming Health Care for MinorsReferendum Can Delay Ban for Two Years, SB 193: Mistrusting Teacher Expertise, Castleberry Subjects All Classroom Materials to Lengthy Public Review, Boobgate: Frye-Mueller Gives LRC Staffer Lewd Advice About Husband's Help in Breastfeeding, Heidelberger Right, SD Wrong: One-Year Deadline for Initiative Petitions Violates First Amendment, HJR 5004: Venhuizen Trying to Sabotage Medicaid Expansion with Work Requirement, SD Health Care Association: Nursing Home Crisis Becoming Catastrophe, Powers Sides with Schoenbeck over SDGOP Sponsors on Expanded Primary Bill, HB 1234: Hansen Wants Vouchers to Send Public Money to Religious Schools, SJR 504: Brent Hoffman Seeks Term Limits to Boot Novstrup, Schoenbeck from Senate, South Dakota legislators once again voted to harm families, so we must remember them and vote them out in 2024, After a series of winter storms, regulators approve new standards for power plants, We cant deal with the explosion of gun violence in America until we can hold a rational discussion on guns, Libertarian Party of South Dakota Announces State Convention, Officer Elections This Year, South Dakota Democrats are becoming extinct, February 22, 2023: COVID Weekly Data Update, City of Sioux Falls will be hosting weekly pressers, Try not to wear gold watches when pleading your case. /Width 1693 Unbeknownst to Plaintiff, Black told Brown County Deputy Damian Bahr and DCI Agent Dave Lunzman, the only other law enforcement in the Aberdeen office, about Ericksons treatment toward Plaintiff. After the failed communicative efforts, Kaisers attorneys filed an affidavit detailing the communication issues, as well as motions with the court to compel the settlement amount on May 14. This is about corruption in the State of South Dakota and it is because of strong and determined individuals such as Laura Kaiser that this type of unacceptable behavior will finally be exposed for what it is. You do not have to be silent and you should not be in fear of speaking up. %PDF-1.5 6 0 obj WebWhen Chief Agent Miller retired, Merle Melstad served as chief agent of the DCI for six months in 1955; he was followed in that post by Rol Kebach, who was to serve twenty q Black attempted to shift the blame to Plaintiff and began ignoring her. As Shirley Schwab points out, Ms. Zylstra Kaiser was going through her experience at the same time the DCI and AG office were performing on the Taliaferro-Schwab debacle, and Blacks conduct is a matter of a trail transcript which leads to the judge dismissing the case against them with specific mention of Blacks performance being one of the reasons. Unless she has some kind of admissible digital evidence shes screwed. We are only seeing one side of the story. We believe the interrogations were live streamed to Pierre with someone feeding Black intimidating, confusing and attacking questions to ask the Mette children. MC, the deck continues to be stacked in favor of the rapist/molester/harasser. The original settlement said Kaiser was to be paid by April 1 and no later than April 15. On information and belief, Plaintiff is the only agent who has ever been transferred against her wishes[Complaint, 2015.09.23]. It was a wonderful atmosphere. "At that time the DCI attorney said they didn't have any money to pay me," Kaiser said. 'GE%ueEy Z"*L>O ;FVIL$E ^tjx%|{/&,8px%q|A`;%)e9SO8w% She was living away from her husband and baby. /Height 2192 Kaiser said at that time she signed the agreement. WebSTATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA CLASS SPECIFICATION Class Title: DCI Special Agent I Class Code: 688801 Pay Grade: L4 _____ A. Thats too bad for SD and a real reason people leave. You slime every other Republican male because MCs nave embracement of the establishment, in his bid to be named as Hickeys replacement? It looks to me like she will be the one that is really on trial. South Dakota has a criminal for a governor just like voters wanted. WebThe South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is accepting applications for DCI Special Agent I or II at this time. Supervisor Jason Even took the mens side immediately, accused Zylstra Kaiser of fabricating the sexual harassment allegations against Erickson, and warned her that the issue could lead to her termination. They got both in front of me., Erickson: Stick with me Ill take you to the promised land.. @c`m6x\^=5^'Gb68qk!b@8hg"Xv3nK2 -gW Am 8%d>!EDB8jOpG/4Ps0 Q}Y5z0VF3,=i0U`d ~o^Lq92,r+f^$-Gxpv1yGTY/0 6Lqa{b.K!hD%D*pc?X;^3 F`c!. The latest Tweets from South Dakota DCI (@SouthDakotaDCI). Dont ever approach me again.. 8 days ago. When watching the recordings of those interrogation videos, Mark Black can be seen receiving text messages and phone calls (along with occasional breaks while leaving each of the children alone for long periods of time in the cold, scary and isolated rooms) during the entire interrogation process. << DCI Special Agent I or II in South Dakota State Government; Rapid City, SD. When Zylstra Kaiser pointed out that that Erickson admitted to the conduct, Even chose not to believe her and said he was unhappy with her general work performance.
Masa Takayama Daughter,
Assistant Property Manager Salary Texas,
Seema Jaswal Wedding,
Articles D