Incident Overview

Tom Ross, the mayor of Minot, North Dakota, has announced his resignation following an investigation stemming from an incident in which he accidentally sent a lewd video to the city attorney, Stefanie Stalheim.

Details of the Incident

The resignation was made public on the same day that the investigative report detailing the incident was released. In January, Ross sent a video of himself engaged in an inappropriate act to Stalheim shortly after discussing a serious topic regarding a police officer’s suicide during a phone call.

According to Ross, he intended the video for his romantic partner and requested Stalheim to delete the footage without viewing it, asking her to keep the matter private. He described it as a “sexy video for his girlfriend.”

Repercussions and Reaction

The investigation revealed that Stalheim faced significant distress over whether to file a formal complaint, especially given that Ross was her direct supervisor and her performance review was approaching. Stalheim sought an apology and suggested that Ross consider resigning as mayor.

The findings indicated that Ross’s actions contributed to an environment that was not free from unreasonable sexual harassment, thereby creating an offensive workplace atmosphere for Stalheim.

Mayor’s Response and Future Plans

In the wake of these revelations, Ross stated on Wednesday that he accepts full accountability for his actions and expressed deep respect for Stalheim. He noted that he delayed his resignation to honor the investigative process and mentioned his intention to focus on personal healing and family matters moving forward.

Next Steps for Minot

In response to Ross’s resignation, the Minot City Council voted on Tuesday to appoint a new mayor from within its ranks. There will be a 15-day window for citizens to petition for a special election to fill the vacancy.

Ross was elected as mayor in 2022 after previously serving two years on the city council. Minot, located approximately 50 miles south of the Canadian border, boasts a population of over 47,000 residents.