T. Denny Sanford is a GOP mega-donor, giving a million to Americans for Prosperity, the anti-tax group, and ten thousand here and twenty-five thousand there. He’s among the elite class of Republican donors. He’s even more influential at the state level in Arizona and South Dakota where he divides his time and his political advocacy. He is also an “implicated individual” in a child sexual abuse material investigation.
There was a criminal investigation by South Dakota law enforcement but because it crossed state boundaries, it was referred to the Barr Department of Justice. Even though such records are public information, they were sealed and it took nearly sixteen months of litigation to unseal his name.
The South Dakota Deputy Attorney General closed the investigation saying there were no prosecutable offenses “within the state of South Dakota,” a careful phrasing that coupled with their acknowledgment that he continues to be investigated by state and federal government indicates there may be more to come.
Or not. After all, the SD Dept of Justice bent over backwards to keep the public and the media from knowing what was in the affidavits, a courtesy not provided to other citizens.
UPDATE: 4/27/23 – The affidavits were released and revealed that child sexual abuse material was found in his email account plus two images sent on a cell phone. He is not being prosecuted because there’s “no proof” he used the account or the phone even though it was geo-tagged where he lived and the email had his driver’s license, a hotel receipt, pictures of him, and more.
- The Argus Leader: T. Denny Sanford named as ‘implicated individual’ in S.D. child pornography investigation
- Pro Publica: Child Porn Possession Investigation Into South Dakota Billionaire Closed With No Charges
- Dakota News Now: Affidavits: Child porn found in email account linked to T. Denny Sanford
Sioux Falls, South Dakota · Sunday, July 17, 2022