2 0 obj We would have been better off reporting these crimes to the Girl Scouts. Since then, Mark Black has stated he never contacted or interviewed by law enforcement or the Attorney Generals office regarding my criminal complaint and only learned about it after the SD AG had dismissed my complaint as reported by news media. /PAGE0001 Do The cold, hard, fact remains, males perpetrate more than 90% of the sexual crimes. I am also well aware that the large majority of males are not sexual criminals. I have personally met with supervisor Jason Even who demonstrated that he was a complete idiot who didnt know the first thing about law enforcement or criminal investigations. PLEASE ATTACH THE Women are not perfect. . (no offense to the Girl Scouts). The only objective Kaiser did not complete according to DCI was rebuilding the trust with the men in the office who had shunned her. Your email address will not be published. Web7 Enforcement Agent jobs available in South Dakota on Indeed.com. We are South Dakota's premier criminal justice and criminal investigative agency. Through it all, Laura has continued to handle this nightmare with strength, grace and determination and is to be commended for bringing attention to these horrific actions. 8 days ago. This is one of those rare situations where the accused should be guilty until they prove themselves innocent. 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. WebThe graph below represents the number of search warrants DCI Special Agents participated in from 2008 through 2011. During the chain of events, Jackley's name was replaced on the agreement with, "elected and appointed officials," and then to Craig Ambach, the Director of the Office of Risk Management for the state. The coincidence of the administrative attack on Zylstra Kaiser and the legal attack on Schwab, Taliaferro, and the Mette children suggests a connection, a multi-front push by Brown County an DCI to shut down potentially damaging lawsuits. She was living away from her husband and baby. ~D$fQn}d0(i \I$EauuuF|]>p(_t^A :5u2t,2!u6lTN .cL ;8zMxko^ {q//[\{J1hd@K yzN3B=_J. # Nor is it about what is happening at the University of Minnesota. It will be difficult to defend Black and anyone who tries to use his words and actions as credible evidence. ", Lucas Kaster, one of Kaisers attorneys, stated: We are very happy for Laura. 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. :"x?W YfP(iv7xE' w2^Pt6kJIy\jhQ"1Bjx In the 80 year history of DCI, Kaiser said she was just one of two women who were promoted to Special Agent III, the highest level in a non-supervisory role. WebThe State of South Dakota offers employer paid health insurance plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other Posted Posted 30+ @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!. I say so here and now. Kaiser said she was reluctant about telling her superiors and eventually was forced out of her post as retaliation for reporting it. It boggles my mind that adult males would behave that way. 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. You slime every other Republican male because MCs nave embracement of the establishment, in his bid to be named as Hickeys replacement? WebDCI Special Agent I or II South Dakota State Government Statewide, SD. ", 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. There is nothing in our legal system that says the public can not scrutinize public cases and come to our own conclusions. WebAbout us. We have a woman who is making some very serious allegations against a group of men. Dont ever approach me again.. And the U of MN has added the Affirmative Consent Sexual Activity standard. 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. Kaiser said she'd been patient and asked for a "good faith payment," of "anything? Disgusted that Mrs Kaiser had to put up with such criminal behavior by a co-worker and then her supervisors. We believe the interrogations were live streamed to Pierre with someone feeding Black intimidating, confusing and attacking questions to ask the Mette children. For stream By doing so, it has become clear that on November 4, 2011, Mark Black was given marching orders to get rid of a few individuals who were about the expose the state of wrong doing that would ultimately lead to major lawsuits against the State of SD. Sioux Falls, SD . The jury awarded Kaiser $311,812.00 in lost wages, $498,929.00 in lost retirement benefits, and $400,000.00 in emotional distress damages. endobj UM has more students, faculty and staff than the population of Rapid City. <> SD women you dont have to put up with such nastiness. WebSouth Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Special Agent James Severson (Severson) to investigate Adamson. 5 0 obj <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> Zylstra resigned from DCI effective May 18, 2012. DCI Special Agent I or II in South Dakota State Government; Rapid City, SD. x3>J, .$Sku4ftRQJ~}9NdHq.qP/zixl~omw77DH?cI,(RV/{~,HAI56i%R,LW|R//7,XEZ!o@%BCW%rQ5IY\FrR},X@%YtLs6IEE$Q$ YYZwLwK/woUJm7rwznh?h-;o yGH-S$$O"hIc VY9H~d&D#iu.QUCoHB(L}~JOI:xw9x0Gh=,~]\c"r-)o!Jx_%1+^Iy$UYXc,WE 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. $20 says this thing never goes to court and is settled for an undisclosed ammount. View Background Report Sponsored Brett D Spencer 's Record in 2020 Name Brett D Spencer Location South Dakota Phone Ad View phone number Payroll Year 2020 HB 1221: Free School Meals for Every Student in South Dakota! Box 127 Lake Andes, SD 57356 Telephone: 605-487-7645 Attorney for Plaintiff and Appellant ______________________ Robert B. Anderson May, Adam, Gerdes & Thompson P.O. Washington, DC; Chicago, IL; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; Dallas, TX; Search. Maybe its the places I go or the people I know. The only thing left is for involuntary sex reassignment. In the meantime, let us all take a breath, put politics and rhetoric aside, and support this courageous young lady. Child abuse cases ought to have the same standard. 4 0 obj POSTED. She mentioned she regretted telling Black[Complaint, 2015.09.23]. Why South Dakotans stand for it remains a mystery. 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? "I received a text message from an Aberdeen attorney -- who i'll just leave as anonymous at this point --it said, 'I just talked with Marty on your case, hope that is OK, may I call you to be an intermediary directly with him to have no appeals?' 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. Kaiser was transferred to Pierre, demoted from Special Agent III to Special Agent II and moved to a less desirable position. Youve already gotten more of my time than I usually give you, sock puppet. WebIn 2018, I began my career as a Special Agent with the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), where I was primarily charged with leading full-spectrum, complex /Contents 5 0 R It was a wonderful atmosphere. There are some parts of SD where women are treated with respect and dignity. When called to account, Black allegedly turned against Zylstra Erickson: Later that day, Plaintiff approached Black and asked why he shared her personal information. Deb G, I could never see this good olboy mentality happening in MN. A friendly little safety reminder-dont play around pitchforks and torches. %PDF-1.5 On November 4, 2011, Laura was in Pierre and aware of all of the state player (regarding her case and ours) that were present in Pierre as well. South Dakota has a criminal for a governor just like voters wanted. The original settlement said Kaiser was to be paid by April 1 and no later than April 15. Indeed, we are reading here only the complaint. Eventually, she was forced to resign in 2012. The only way this will ever before a jury is if Ms. Zylstra Kaiser asks for more than Marty is willing to pay: its just that simple. 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. They will never be trusted again. Later in the week, Kaiser received another agreement with a payment date of June 8. yeah, this is pretty much how sexual harassment is handled in this state, right grudz? Kaiser told the texter all negotiations would continue to go through her Minneapolis-based attorney. Purpose: Conducts independent investigations or coordinates investigations with other state, '!kcE!>{=C9Cv G4]mY01I&Em@6cR1d>!B u http://www.childadvocatesdefensefund.com/resources/. % 609.5 0.0 0.0 789.1 1.3 1.4 cm Over the past couple of years, Laura and I have compared our particular time lines along with documented facts and discovery. I mostly agree with you Jenny. Former South Dakota DCI Agent Represented by Nichols Kaster receives $1.2 Million Jury Verdict after Suffering Retaliation and Discrimination Following a five-day trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota, a six-person jury returned a $1.2 million dollar verdict in favor of former South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation agent, Laura Zylstra-Kaiser. That afternoon, Black surreptitiously met with Erickson, Bahr, and Lunzman in a park. When they speak, I will report. Lauras complaint will be heard in both South Dakota Federal and State court proceedings. Mrs Kaiser is in fact Rep Dan Kaisers wife, a noted male Republican, who obviously supports her. St~|AJtSZ]l!YBY?$@,!U82XV{/p*6)aPV%l[#gX[G|H5>>&AIX%q.&F%fF7vM4}"~W2(/:>)cS| a. Indeed. Hopefully Lauras story, and the jurys verdict, will play a small part in continuing the message that sexual harassment and retaliation cannot be condoned or allowed.. Kaiser received positive reviews throughout her career. /Length 8 0 R 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 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. Both grievances were denied. Kaiser said at that time she signed the agreement. Imagine Marty Jackley complying with a federal judge to hand over DCI emails, people. I know thats not the law, but frankly, these kinds of situations make me so angry . /Name /PAGE0001 Learn from the gay men. The author Claire Wolfe once said America is at that awkward stage; its too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. My Family and I have spent years trying to report a case of $800,000 of fraud and theft to DCI in South Dakota. << Plaintiff was reassigned to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in Pierre, South Dakota, over 150 miles from Aberdeen, effective January 3, 2012. Comment on blogs in support of these things? /Length 47 endobj Statewide, SD. << 0 replies 1 Kaiser again said she didn't want to wait for the money and refused to sign any agreement until she had the checks in hand. >> ;8bUOacWkLV}g$iE"$EaH5fjov,R W4N6RFOfrE>FjZ Zkp Y FUC#4L=p5AkLF drA*15Dxhl[JE,+0K@&Z]uo *JKLWd,|:9d=0w$Ec=yY/xIUF!JyZ1f1==4VKP,R#.U1/g nUv./m-71iqJAis Gutd 4sLwi 1 0 obj For the record, I was never contacted or talked to by the AGs office about my criminal complaint and I also heard about the dismissal of my criminal complaint by the AG from news media. As a result of this experience with DCI administration, Plaintiff feared future reports would adversely affect her career [Complaint, 2015.09.23]. I hope Zylstra Kaiser rips them to shreds. We need to get Gortmaker, Black, Erickson, and Jackley speaking on the record to what happened. 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. Thats too bad for SD and a real reason people leave. Plaintiff apologized and stated that it was not her intent to have the office know about the issue. She appliedfor jobs with the Department of Social Services, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Labor Relations, and private employers but received no offers, because, she alleges, of DCIs negative references and misrepresentations about [her]employment, demotion, discharge, and performance. She filed charges of discrimination in 2014 against those three state agencies who didnt hire her. 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. With no other option, Kaiser resigned from DCI on May 8, 2012. When she spoke about her guns, commenting to her that sounds hot; Petting her hair and, on one occasion, putting his arm around her and swaying; When Plaintiff asked for his keys, stating they were in his pocket and she should get them herself; After Plaintiff said her husband would be out of town that weekend, asking her: Should I come over Saturday around 6? and, Having her watch a lewd music video set in a police department [. The sentence is always a lifetime sentence of shame. Our attorneys are zealous advocates committed to fighting for the justice our clients deserve. Then comes Brown County Deputy Ross Erickson: In or about August 2011, Brown County Deputy Ross Erickson was assigned to the Drug Task Force. If she did something wrong, like breaking the law to catch someone breaking the law, that would be enough. How often do you contact your legislators and Congress people about these issues? FormerDivision of Criminal Investigation special agent Laura Zylstra Kaiser of Aberdeen is suingDCI chief Bryan Gortmaker and former DCI agent Mark Black for hindering her employment. But in this lawsuit it says 'Marty Jackley, in his official capacity as Attorney General for the State of South Dakota and Marty Jackley personally.' But MC, I am inclined to think that the more to the story may well follow the lines that Shirley and David lay out for us. 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. << They were dated back to March. Zylstra Kaiser says she went to work for the DCI Drug Task Force straight out law school in August 2003. 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. endobj }1-"y, b.|7h" i>1d&1 endobj Preston Johnson, Special Agent E-mail: preston.johnson@oig.hhs.gov US Department of Health and Human Services, OIG . MC-you got your story ass backwards. Plaintiff approached Erickson on or about October 18, 2011 and explained that she was not comfortable with his sexually-oriented comments. And I have met with Jessica Page, who despite appearing to sincerely want to help the crime victim, was completely incompetent. Kaiser went before reporters this afternoon to set the record straight, she said, because Attorney General Marty Jackley is accusing her and her lawyers, as well as Rep. Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota) of conspiring against him in his bid for governor. /ProcSet 6 0 R My Family and I have spent years trying to report a case of $800,000 of fraud and theft to DCI in South Dakota. Kaiser said if Jackley wasn't involved, she's not sure why that mattered. /Type /Page WebThe South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources believes in building, developing, and supporting a high-performing and healthy workforce. Cant we raise our men to treat women better than this? Then, her lawyer continued to attempt to contact the DCI attorney without response. I reported the criminal complaint to Director Gortmaker, Mike Rounds, Dennis Daugaard and Attorney General Marty Jackley. MN Attorney General Lori Swanson wouldnt put up with it. endobj It happens everyday all over this country, yet when republicans face heat they yell there is another side to this story (without telling it) or that the perp must be proven guilty. Powers spins this story because Dan Kaiser is a constant burr under the establishment machines saddle, and because establishment crony Marty Jackley is running for governor. WebThe South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is accepting applications for DCI Special Agent I or II at this time. "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. You do not have to be silent and you should not be in fear of speaking up. 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. Erickson told Kaiser to get keys out of his pocket, described sex with his wife to Kaiser, and asked Kaiser if she was horny when she was pregnant, among others. 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. That lack of cooperation from her co-workers led to job consequences for Zylstra Kaiser: On December 8, 2011, Assistant Director Dan Satterlee informed Plaintiff she met the WIPs requirements with one exception: she had not rebuilt positive relationships. We will not be silenced. Maybe it was around in the old day, but not now. DCI Special Agent I or II. 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. Special Agents et al, No. No need for me romanticiz about the DCI, in my relationship with Kevin Thumb there was no love. Since 1937, the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation has served as the lifeline of support to South Dakotas law enforcement agencies, leading criminal 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. <>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> [/PDF /ImageC] It caught my ear because it was so unusual to me. DCI said they didn't have it. I looked around to see if anyone was noticing. What a filthy, nasty man! 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. /Parent 3 0 R 2013) case opinion from the District of South Dakota U.S. Federal District Court . It looks to me like she will be the one that is really on trial. The DCI will get its day in court, but the question is how to give many other apparent miscreants their day in court. "My attorney made three attempts to contact the DCI attorney on different days -- no response. My Mother first reported these Its extremely rare that I hear women made fun of or harassed here. WebSTATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA CLASS SPECIFICATION Class Title: DCI Special Agent I Class Code: 688801 Pay Grade: L4 _____ A. Kaiser said she's not sure what Jackley's role in her settlement was, but believes blame for the delay partially falls on him. 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. MC, a preponderance of evidence shows that kind of behavior is common place. Unless she has some kind of admissible digital evidence shes screwed. In the court of public opinion, the truth doesnt matter, only how it is spun. TFeJxXop(I#Z,k^Uv "A@'(''C6eRE .Qn4vL*2{i}SaeaXCYzoKmw7'}jgaL@gWan7T4('9|K,"-w^l. Zylstra Kaiser now charges Gortmaker withreprisal discrimination and sex discrimination under the federal Civil Rights Act and the South Dakota Human RelationsAct. This is so wrong and. I wish Laura well with her lawsuit as this has been a long and exhausting road for her and her family. Plaintiff thanked Black for his support and asked him not to tell anyone about her difficulties with Erickson. Erickson acknowledged his comments were inappropriate, apologized, and said he would not make any such comments in the future [Complaint, 2015.09.23]. WebOur special agents are full-spectrum criminal investigators, handling all manners of felony-level criminal activity. Dont be too hard on PP, he probably just doesnt know how to pull up the complaint. 4 0 obj Sexual Harassment - Hostile Work Environment, Failure to Cancel Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), Force Placed Insurance - Flood & Homeowners, Predatory Lending/Unfair Mortgage Servicing, Former South Dakota DCI Agent Represented by Nichols Kaster receives $1.2 Million Jury Verdict after Suffering Retaliation and Discrimination, Loans, Financing, and Borrowers' Rights Overview, Civil Rights and Impact Litigation Overview, Plaintiffs Public Housing Claims Move Forward in Minneapolis, Inside Sales Representative Brings Overtime Case Against Brightwheel, Nichols Kaster, PLLP Awarded First Tier Ranking on The 2023 Best Law Firms List. To all the men out there that need advice on how to treat women in the workplace, Ill give you a clue. None of the men, including Ross Erickson, were disciplined by DCI or the Brown County Sherriffs Office. There will be no trial and South Dakota will settle for an undisclosed amount of cash. $100,000?" Meanwhile, Mark Black was in the Brown County DCI interrogation rooms going after the Mette children in a strategic attempt to get them to change their stories. Kaiser appealed the discipline to DCI and eventually to South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, but each of her appeals was denied.