Ted Klaudt (R-S.D.)
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Claims to fame: Former South Dakota state representative; farmer; child rapist
Moral apex: Raped two of his foster daughters.
“The two girls,” reported AP, “testified that Klaudt touched their breasts and genitals as part of a phony scheme to help them make money by donating their reproductive eggs to infertile couples. The examinations occurred in Klaudt’s motel suite during the 2005 and 2006 sessions of the South Dakota Legislature.”
Klaudt sent some 70 bogus e-mail messages to one of the girls using the name “Terri Linee” — a fictitious representative of a fictitious agency promising payments of tens of thousands of dollars for the girl’s eggs.
The girl then testified that “Klaudt did up to ten examinations of her breasts and vaginal area, supposedly to see if she would qualify as an egg donor.”
What happened next: It took the jury just three hours to convict Klaudt on four counts of second-degree rape.
But, wait, there’s more: Klaudt also faced ten more charges of “rape and other offenses” in his home county — but plea-bargained out in order to avoid a second trial.
“The formal charges,” reported KSFY, included “4 counts of second-degree rape, 2 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, 1 count of sexual contact with a child under the age of 16, 2 counts of witness tampering and 1 count of stalking.”
He pleaded guilty to the two counts of witness tampering, admitting that “he offered to forgive a debt if the mother of one of the foster daughters would call off an investigation of his actions. And in the earlier trial, one of the young women testified Klaudt had urged her to lie to authorities.”
Where he is now: Free on bond, awaiting sentencing (slated for January 4, 2008) on the rape convictions, and due for sentencing six days later for the witness-tampering charges.
He could get up to 100 years in prison — 25 years for each of the four counts of rape — plus another twenty years more on the latter charges. (If he had gone to trial for the ten counts of “rape and other offenses” in Corson County, he could have been racked up an additional 140 years in the pen.)
His lawyer says any decision to appeal the rape convictions will come after Klaudt is sentenced on all charges.
Memorable quotes:
its looking very good. Ted’s report was excellent the breast glands are very good position and the oveies are in exact position and the uturis looks very healthy. Dont forget the next test that needs to be done on sunday or monday. Make sure you contact Ted and remind him. Ted said you were a little upset hun please try to relax and the tests wond hurt as much please dont make Ted to upset. Thanks TerriP.S. you need to remind Ted to do the breast measurment this time and the next three times he will know what this means
Hello Ted i know you are busy but i emailed [A.M.] and she said i needed to talk to you. I havent recieved the last two reports. If you didnt get them done then if she ever wants to get into the program you and I will need to talk call me. There is still one last chance if she willing to let you do this test. Its a vaginal stimulation test iam sure you have what is needed to perform this test. It all up to her I know she will need to cooperate with you and let you perform the test on her. I can help you with suggestion to make it go easier. Please talk with her this is her last chance. Iam Cc. a copy of this to her. Thanks for all you do for her and the world of egg donation. Thanks Terri
[A.M.] i takked with Ted on Thursday afternoon thanks for the right #. He is willing to get this testing done for you. There are some committments you have to make first. You have to promise you will do what we need to be done. I can explain the procudure to you if you like just let me know. He did tell me you are on your period which is very good again. You need to promise that you will not do the crying act stuff he just cant do it. He feels like he is hurting you and he told me that is the last thing he would ever do is hurt you. [A.M.] you are 18 now and it time you start to act like and 18 year old girl. I dont mean to sound rude but come on girl it not like you are a virgin.
I can send Ted a relaxer for you if you want. I know any type of alcohol will work just as well.
I have worked alot with Ted and he has never sent us a bad donor. I cant believe Ted has put up with all the issues you have had and now you dont want to take the time and finish it up. I sent him and email and he said he would have time when ever it would work for you. I really dont know why he just dont tell you to forget it really. You see to beable to stall more than anyone i know. Well you are Ted client and he is determined to have us give you an chance. If you cant meet with Ted this next week the sept donations if off.
i would like to know if you have talked with Ted. I am affraid to call him again as upset as he was the last time we talked. I dont understand it you are like inches away from getting it completed and now after all the work is done you both are dropping to ball. I dont understand it. I am at a loss you have prety much been accepted in the program so why not finish it. Please and i ask please talk with Ted about getting it all put together. I hope you will atleast reply to this email please iam begging you we need you so bad now. Thanks Terri
I really do need ted very very bad Please talk to him and atleast have him take my calls.
I am getting so discussed with this whole deal i mean he had several female he was working with inculuding u and u allway seemed to be the one that could get to him. … So PLEASE TALK TO TED LIKE NOW RATHER THEN SOON. Thank You Terri
u must know what happened to have him feel this way Please tell me so i can avoid the subject when and if ted will ever talk with me. Please [A.M.] help all the couples who need u and ted to complete there lifes goals. Thanks Terri
I know teds love for you is unconditional. ted would never not take your call. [A.M.] why would you make up such a lie about a man who loves you so deeply. Are you going to move on this or you going to keep messing around and lying i cant put up with. I will give you until Monday afternoon to make this happen or just forget it but dont lie ever again to me. A very upset terri
I will await your email and see what Teds decission will be. Please beg him into completing the testing and what ever else you need to have done. Thanks Terri
— Typically illiterate missives to victim “A.M.”
from the fictitious “Terri Linee”
Random facts:
• Hughes County, where Klaudt was tried, spent $8,846 to prosecute him.
• The Klaudt case was voted (by “South Dakota Associated Press member newspaper editors and broadcast news directors”) the number-four news story in South Dakota for 2007.
Suggested Bible reading for Mr. Klaudt:
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.— Proverbs 15:4