AG Mark Vargo recuses himself from Noem ethics investigation

South Dakota Attorney General Mark Vargo has announced he will recuse himself from the ongoing investigation into South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s alleged misuse of the state owned airplane. He did this by referring one of the two ethics complaints against Gov. Noem to a different office in Pierre citing conflicts of interests. Vargo was nominated as Attorney General by Governor Kristi Noem following the impeachment of Jason Ravnsborg. Vargo served as the lead prosecutor in the trial that saw Ravnsborg removed from office by the state senate. Governor Noem is accused of using the state owned airplane for personal events.