Sheriff on Ethics Board Sparks Debate

North Dakota’s Ethics Commission is caught in a constitutional tug-of-war over who qualifies to serve: local officials like Burleigh County Sheriff Kelly Leben are being appointed despite claims that state law bars them. Leben, who checked legal eligibility with county attorneys before applying, defends his role, citing a narrow interpretation of the constitution that excludes local officials. He’ll serve until August 2027 while also eyeing a federal U.S. Marshal post — a move the selection committee says won’t conflict. Meanwhile, the commission must choose a replacement for a retiring member, with one finalist’s state attorney general role raising questions about executive branch eligibility — a decision set for July 7. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/30bcd64e5ed0c8d5