Minot, North Dakota – The mayor of Minot, one of North Dakota’s largest cities, has resigned following the release of an investigative report that found he mistakenly sent a sexually explicit video to the city attorney.
Tom Ross, who was elected mayor in 2022 after serving two years on the city council, officially stepped down on Tuesday, the same day the findings of the investigation were made public. The report revealed that Ross had sent a video of a private nature to City Attorney Stefanie Stalheim in January, shortly after the two had spoken on the phone regarding a police officer’s suicide.
According to the report, Ross contacted Stalheim immediately afterward, asking her to delete the video, not to view it, and to keep the matter confidential. Ross later told investigators that the video was meant for his romantic partner and had been recorded at his home during a lunch break.
Stalheim, who was reporting directly to Ross and whose annual performance review was pending at the time, reportedly struggled with how to handle the situation. In her formal complaint, she requested an apology from Ross and suggested he consider resigning from his position as mayor.
The independent investigator concluded that Ross’s actions had directly contributed to a work environment that Stalheim found hostile and offensive, stating that the mayor’s behavior interfered with her ability to perform her duties in a harassment-free workplace.
In a statement following his resignation, Ross expressed regret and took full responsibility for his actions. He said he holds Stalheim “in the utmost regard and respect,” and added that he had delayed his resignation in order to allow the investigation to take its course. Ross also stated his intention to focus on personal healing and spending time with his family.
Efforts to reach City Attorney Stefanie Stalheim for comment on Tuesday were unsuccessful.
The Minot City Council, which governs the city of over 47,000 residents located approximately 50 miles south of the Canadian border, will appoint a new mayor from within the council in 15 days, unless a petition is submitted calling for a special election.
