Jackley: Mission accomplished for Vargo’s legacy in South Dakota AG’s office

The Pennington County State’s Attorney set sights on improving relations between tribes, Attorney General’s Office

Attorney General Mark Vargo and staff participated in a smudging ceremony last summer at the George S. Mickelson Criminal Justice Center campus. (Submitted photo)

When Mark Vargo became South Dakota’s 32nd attorney general, his days as the state’s top prosecutor and law enforcement officer were already numbered.

His appointment to the office came following the ouster of Jason Ravnsborg and after the campaign to be the long-term replacement to the impeached attorney general was already on.

Vargo had six months to make the most of his time as attorney general, and he set his sights on improving the office’s standing with South Dakota’s nine Indian tribes and creating synergies between law enforcement on both sides of reservation borders.

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“The goal was to have this started and rolling down hill for him when he gets here,” Vargo said while referring to managing the office, improving native relations and readying to hand the reins to Attorney General-elect Marty Jackley, who will be sworn into office later this week.