SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem’s order for a customized, personal desk from a state prison work program will cost nearly $9,000 after modifications such as brass embossing, a gun drawer with leather inserts and a footrest were added to the order.
The governor’s spokesman Ian Fury said Friday that taxpayers won’t be saddled with the bill because it’s a personal order for Noem and that the initial bid for the black walnut executive desk ranged from $5,000 to $6,000.
The bill had run to $9,000 after the modifications, which included increasing the length of the desk to 100 inches to allow two people to work side-by-side at the desk. The unnamed corrections officers alleged that prison officials had ordered the bill be discounted by $3,000.
