Connecting the dots on this investigation is going to be interesting, while the parties involved are trying to separate themselves from each other. Many media outlets and blogs (except Dakota War College) have covered many details on the case, but until the Federal investigators release their findings, these quagmires exist;
1) Benda is dead. Did he commit suicide, was he accidentally shot or murdered? Who did it?
2) Governor Rounds led a very secretive, tight-knit, state government, he is now running for Senate with challengers in his in own party, how will this affect is bid for senate if he is found guilty of wrong doing? And why did the State GOP chair give such a large donation to his opponent Larry Rhoden? Remember, Craig Lawrence was co-founder of L & S, one of the state’s most prestigious ad agencies who basked in the state tourism contracts to the tune of millions each year during the Rounds years. Why the sudden change of heart, Craig?
3) What was the current governors involvement in all this? He seems to be distancing himself from Rounds, as his spokesman last night on KELO said that ‘Dennis is more transparent then Rounds was when it comes to economic development (sic)’ This is also strange that Dennis is quickly distancing himself from Rounds, remember Rounds bailed Dennis’ ass out on a couple of occasions (Millions in state contracts when he ran Children’s Home Society, and the Mette Indian case cover up.)
4) Which brings us to AG Jackley, what was his involvement? He obviously worked closely with Dennis and Rounds. He’s the state’s lead attorney with many tentacles and connections.
5) Then there is the SOS of state debacle, Gant throwing in the towel and Shantel Krebs stepping in. Who is Rounds communications director? None other then Mitch Krebs, Shantel’s husband.
6) And lastly, why so much infusion of money from the Chinese and Koreans?
Lots of dots, lots of tentacles, lots of secrets, lots of deception. I have a feeling this is going to get very messy, very soon.