Federal judge says accused 4-H entrant can compete

• Karen Schreier

Karen Schreier

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WHITE LAKE — A 16-year-old White Lake girl will be allowed to participate in 4-H while a federal lawsuit involving an alleged cheating scandal at last year’s South Dakota State Fair is settled.

The lawsuit was filed against the state 4-H office by Greg Kroupa, of White Lake, on behalf of his daughter, Bayley, after she was banned from competition in October for allegedly showing a swine at the South Dakota State Fair that had been previously entered in a competition at the Missouri State Fair — a violation of the 4-H code of ethics.

The Kroupas deny the claim.

The girl’s father claims the ban could potentially mean the loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money from national competitions, court documents say.

Judge Karen Schreier, the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, ordered 4-H not to interfere with Bayley’s participation in any of the club’s activities until “further order of the court.” However, Schreier dismissed some of Kroupa’s claims for monetary relief against 4-H and two of its officials.

A hearing on the motions was held June 8 in Sioux Falls, and both parties were allowed to submit supplemental briefs on the matters.

The lawsuit relates to a swine named Moe that Bayley showed at the 2011 South Dakota State Fair. Moe received reserve grand honors and was named champion for his breed at the Future Farmers of America show held at the end of the fair.

Bayley received emails, text messages and Facebook messages from other 4-H members accusing her of not caring for Moe during the project season, court documents say. She told her parents, who informed 4-H officials of the situation, the documents add.

The family claims they had no other contact with 4-H officials until they received a letter informing them Bayley was banned from 4-H.

Dates for future hearings have not yet been scheduled.

Tags: white lake, news, updates, courts, lawsuit, 4h