Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Bill Janklow, the former U.S. Representative and Governor of South Dakota who was found to have killed motorcyclist Randolph Scott as a result of his reckless driving, will not have to pay any damages out of his own pocket to the victim’s family, according to an article appearing on www.startribune.com November 30.

Instead, federal taxpayers will pay any damages awarded to Scott’s family in a wrongful death lawsuit because, a federal judge ruled this week, Janklow was “on duty” the day of the accident. Janklow is therefore “covered under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which protects federal employees from negligence claims when they’re on duty,” read the article.

The civil lawsuit against Janklow was dismissed by the federal court. Lawyers for Scott’s family are expected to file a new wrongful death lawsuit against the United States Government.

Janklow, 65, was convicted of speeding, running a stop sign, reckless driving and second-degree manslaughter after he collided with a motorcycle ridden by Scott, 55, who was killed instantly.

Janklow, who was the Governor of South Dakota for 16 years and served in the House of Representatives since 2002, resigned from Congress in January of 2004, served 100 days in county jail and paid a fine.

Janklow has appealed his conviction to the South Dakota Supreme Court, according to the Washington Times.