Former DSS employee faces trial for $1.8 million theft

RAPID CITY, SD (KOTA) – A former South Dakota Department of Social Services employee has pleaded not guilty to charges that he embezzled approximately $1.8 million in state and federal funds from the department's child protective services.

RELATED: Former DSS employee charged with stealing $1.8 million

The trial of Lonna Carroll, 68, of Algona, Iowa, begins Dec. 4 in Pierre. Carroll pleaded not guilty in Hughes County District Court on Aug. 27.

She is charged with two counts of grand larceny. Carroll is accused of taking the money while working as an employee of the department's child protection program, where she had control of the funds, according to prosecutors. The thefts are believed to have occurred between 2010 and 2023.

Bail was set at $50,000 cash or surety. Carroll is being held in the Hughes County Jail.

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