Controversy over Sen. Julie Frye-Mueller suspension flares up again at state Capitol

Frye-Mueller ally plans to ask for criminal investigation

Sen. Tom Pischke, R-Dell Rapids, addresses reporters Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. (Jonathan Ellis/The Dakota Scout)

Thought the Julie Frye-Mueller controversy at the state Capitol was over?

It is not.

Sen. Tom Pischke, an ally of Frye-Mueller, said Thursday that he will ask Hughes County State’s Attorney Jessica LaMie to investigate whether the 27 senators who voted to suspend Frye-Mueller from the state Senate violated the law.

The law he cites makes it a class-2 misdemeanor to prevent or intimidate a legislator from attending or voting  in any session of the chamber of which he or she is a member.

NEWS: Lawmakers moving to collect data on foreign ownership of ag land in S.D.