Bankruptcies, criminal past follow Custer man to South Dakota treasurer's race
Court, financial records detail legal troubles for Republican campaigning for office that oversees billions; Heath Shields cites faith for life turnaround
A Black Hills Republican with aspirations of becoming South Dakota government’s chief banker and custodian of state funds has a checkered past that includes bankruptcies, bad-check charges and a criminal record.
Heath Shields, 48, is among two declared candidates jockeying for the South Dakota GOP nomination for state treasurer ahead of the party convention next month. He is seeking a spot on the November ballot and, ultimately, the constitutional office that oversees billions of dollars in state coffers.
