SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO-AM) -- State Senator Stace Nelson told The Greg Belfrage Show today that the GEAR UP scandal is "an ugly, sordid tale that goes back 12 years."
The Fulton Republican serves on the Government Operations and Audit Committee investigating the program that was supposed to help college-bound Native American students.
The state of South Dakota now claims 285 Native Americans enrolled in college because of the program. Nelson says they have not provided any evidence or data that the GEAR UP program led to their interest or enrollment in a state university.
He says he has faced pressure and procedures that he thinks keep the matter from being properly investigated.