The former South Dakota Attorney General, Jason Ravnsborg, is contesting a proposed six-month suspension of his Iowa law license following the suspension of his South Dakota license in 2023.
The suspension stems from his involvement in a fatal traffic incident in 2020, where he struck and killed 55-year-old Joe Boever while driving from a political event.
Ravnsborg has argued that the Iowa suspension would be too severe and is seeking a private reprimand instead, highlighting his military service and his belief that South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem influenced the investigation due to their political rivalry.
Ravnsborg, who was impeached and removed from office in 2022, has faced criticism for his actions surrounding the incident, including not expressing condolences to Boever’s family and failing to publicly apologize.
Investigators concluded that Ravnsborg was dishonest about his use of a cell phone during the accident and that his behavior demonstrated a lack of accountability.
Despite his actions, Ravnsborg has stated that his decision to remain in office, rather than resigning, was driven by his duty to serve the state, which he characterized as one of the most corrupt states.
The Iowa Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for January 22, 2025, to decide on the suspension.