PIERRE, SD (KELO AM) The resignation of Republican State Representative Mathew Wollmann for having sex with two legislative interns is far from the whole story, according to State Senator Stace Nelson (R-Fulton).
Nelson says legislative leaders in Pierre apparently knew for months something was going on but did nothing about it.
"Socializing with these legislators, it was a topic of conversation. Several of these legislators expressed disgust about it,and said it was wide known and that leadership had looked the other way," Senator Nelson told the Wednesday edition of KELO Radio's Greg Belfrage Show.
After he found out more about it, Nelson said he proposed a rule change specifically prohibiting sexual contact with legislative pages and interns, but the rule was turned down.
"This isn't about an individual. This is about the institution, this is about protecting these young folks who are up here and the sanctity of this office and I brought that rule on the senate floor and again some of the very same people who complained about this misconduct voted against it," said Nelson.
Governor Dennis Daugaard (R) has announced he will appoint Marli Wiese of Madison to replace Wollmann in the District 8 House seat. Wiese will be sworn in as a state representative on Tuesday, January 31.
Wiese is a lifelong resident of the Madison area. She is a graduate of Madison High School and Nettleton Commercial College. Wiese and her husband, Reggie, have operated their family farm since 1976. The Wieses have three children and ten grandchildren.