(Pierre, SD) — A former state employee faces multiple felony counts for allegedly falsifying reports while working at the South Dakota Department of Social Services’ Child Protective Services. Attorney General Marty Jackley announced yesterday that 56-year-old Nova Collins was indicted for falsifying reports related to a child abuse investigation. This is the first criminal case related to legislation passed this year that established mandatory reporting requirements related to state employee crimes, improper government conduct, and conflicts of interest. Jackley says that “falsifying official documents related to an investigation undermines public trust.” Collins allegedly committed the crimes earlier this year and now faces a maximum of 14 years in prison and one year in jail if convicted on all counts.
Former State Employee Indicted for Falsifying Investigative Reports
