Former governor Schafer wants independent inquiry to help restore public trust after Holmberg case

Former Gov. Ed Schafer outlined his proposal and shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Former North Dakota Gov. Ed Schafer says special steps will be necessary to restore the public’s trust in the wake of the Ray Holmberg sex crimes case.

Schafer spoke about his proposal and shared his thoughts about the case in an exclusive interview with KVRR Local News.

“You had a really sick and deranged individual who did really bad things.”

Schafer, a former governor and University of North Dakota president, is pushing for the creation of a “broad, overreaching and authoritative” effort to examine how Holmberg was allowed to use his position to sexually exploit children–and to take steps to restore the public’s confidence in government.

“I’d like to see it in an organization that personally is arms-length from the situation,” Schafer said. “Like the governor’s office or the North Dakota Broadcasters Association. Someone that has the responsibility and the ability to direct some changes if need be.”

Holmberg, once a powerful longtime state senator, was recently sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to traveling to the Czech Republic, where he paid to sexually exploit children.

“I don’t think anyone had any idea of the depth and the difficulty that was going on here. It’s always a shock…always tough…I mean you read through that BCI report and it’s pretty ugly, it’s pretty bad,” said Schafer.

Several people with ties to Holmberg and to the University of North Dakota were identified in law enforcement documents connected to the case. Schafer is cautioning against a rush to judgment.

“Well I think everybody is pointing fingers these days…who knew what and who didn’t know what. There’s a response now that’s starting to go anti-gay because the people involved were gay…and that’s not a good thing. It’s kind of giving a bad name to the gay community.”

Law enforcement records also show that Holmberg was communicating with his longtime friend, Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, as the federal investigation was taking place. Stenehjem died in January, 2022.

Schafer said “the integrity of Stenehjem as a human being is solid,” and added that he doesn’t believe those communications are an issue.

“I have no doubt that if there were conclusive evidence and some factual evidence against Ray Holmberg, that Wayne Stenehjem would have acted appropriately.”

Schafer says that while it’s difficult to measure the damages from the fallout, it will take a long time for the public’s trust to be restored.