Former state employee sentenced for issuing herself a medical marijuana card

OG Article By South Dakota Searchlight staff

September 10 2025

Overview

Alexandra Feiner, 24, a former South Dakota Department of Health employee, received two years of probation and a $500 fine in Hughes County Court. She pleaded guilty to one felony count of offering a false or forged instrument.

Details

In March 2024, Feiner illegally issued herself a medical cannabis card, bypassing medical provider certification and a required fee. She received a suspended sentence, avoiding two years in prison if she complies with probation terms.

Context

Attorney General Marty Jackley has prosecuted six former state employees since last year for work-related misconduct. "Most of South Dakota’s 14,000 state employees work hard," Jackley said. "One person’s actions don’t reflect the majority."

Other cases include misuse of a foster family food voucher and theft of $1.8 million from the Department of Social Services over 13 years.

Legislative Response

This year, lawmakers passed four bills to:

• Expand the state auditor’s investigatory powers.

• Strengthen the Board of Internal Controls.

• Mandate reporting requirements for state employees with penalties for non-compliance.

• Protect whistleblowers.

Gov. Larry Rhoden signed an executive order in April creating a secure reporting portal for whistleblower complaints, sent to the state auditor and attorney general. The Legislature’s Government Operations and Audit Committee also gained stronger investigative powers, including issuing subpoenas.

Preventive Measures

Last year, then-Gov. Kristi Noem added an internal control officer to the executive branch and ordered annual training to prevent criminal activity among state employees.