(Canton, SD) — A woman once trusted as the treasurer of a southeast South Dakota township is now facing another lawsuit. Former Canton Township treasurer Peggy VanDeKieft is already serving a five-year prison sentence, guilty of writing out almost half a million dollars in fraudulent checks. But the Canton Township has filed a second lawsuit, this time in federal court. Members claim VanDeKieft is not making any effort to pay what she owes back in restitution from the crimes while citing the impact of the financial loss on the community. Along with her time in prison, the 57-year-old was ordered to repay more than 500-thousand dollars. Township members reported VanDeKieft issued unauthorized checks to herself for seven years before getting caught back in 2023.
