North Dakota asks South Dakota to help with agency probe

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem has asked South Dakota authorities to help investigate an agency that allegedly violated state law on contract bidding.

Auditor Joshua Gallion released a report last month that said the Department of Commerce violated the law on bidding uncompetitive contracts totaling more than $87,000 for the state’s new “Be Legendary” logo.

The logo sparked criticism earlier this year when the contract for it was awarded to a Minnesota firm headed by a woman who once worked for Gov. Doug Burgum’s old Fargo software business.

Stenehjem says he wants an investigator who has no knowledge of the audit or the agency to conduct a probe.

The Commerce Department says it did nothing wrong but has identified where some improvements can be made.