Mayor of Minot, ND Resigns After Sexual Harassment Investigation

MINOT, N.D. (KVRR) — Minot Mayor Tom Ross submitted his resignation Tuesday afternoon following an investigation into sexual harassment of City Attorney Stefanie Stalheim.

A special City Council meeting was held to accept the findings of the two-month investigation.

According to the investigation findings, Ross sent Stalheim a video of him masturbating.

Ross claims he sent it by mistake and that it was actually meant for his girlfriend.

He asked Stalheim not to view the video, delete it and that the matter stay between them.

The incident happened on January 14, 2025 when Ross and Stalheim were discussing the death by suicide of an officer who was under investigation and whose phone was confiscated.

Stalheim submitted a formal complaint in writing on January 28.

The investigator found that due “to Ross’s position as one of increased visibility, responsibility, and trust, and due to his decision
to use a personal cell phone to conduct city business, that the fact he would use that device to record and send videos of this nature is in and of itself reckless enough that he knew the risk he was taking by engaging in such behavior.”

Ross stated he wished the incident could have been handled internally, without a public investigation.

He also expressed both regret for the incident and a feeling that he had a good history with employees and has never engaged in workplace sexual harassment.

In her formal complaint, Stalheim requested an apology and that Ross consider resigning.

Ross was elected mayor of Minot in 2022 and was in his first term.