Feds Settle in Janklow case

The family of motorcyclist Randy Scott, who was killed in a crash involving then-South Dakota U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow, has settled for $1 million in a wrongful death lawsuit against the federal government.

The family had sued the government for $25 million after the crash in 2003, claiming Janklow was on official business when his Cadillac ran through a stop sign, hitting Scott’s Harley-Davidson in South Dakota. Scott, 55 at the time, was killed instantly.

Janklow was convicted in the death and served 100 days in jail in addition to being placed on three years probation. He also resigned his U.S. House seat at the time.

Janklow is a former four-time South Dakota governor and former state attorney general. He was very powerful in South Dakota politics before the crash.

Scott of Minnesota was vacationing in South Dakota with a friend when the crash occurred. Janklow initially claimed he may have blacked out approaching the intersection because he’s diabetic and hadn’t eaten that day.