Universal Media Publication
Audience

Did North Dakota Mayor Tom Ross Commit Workplace Harassment — Even If It Was “Accidental”?

3rd Apr 2025
Did North Dakota Mayor Tom Ross Commit Workplace Harassment — Even If It Was “Accidental”? By now, plenty of people in North Dakota — and probably a lot of lawyers across the country — have heard about what happened in Minot. But in case you missed it: Mayor Tom Ross resigned after sending a masturbation video to the city’s attorney. He said it was a mistake. A mix-up. Something that wasn’t meant for her at all. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Even if he didn’t mean to send it, the damage was done. And legally? That might still count as workplace sexual harassment. How did we get here? It started on what was already a difficult day. Ross and City Attorney Stefanie Stalheim had just wrapped up a call about a police officer’s suicide — heavy news by any measure. Minutes later, Ross texted her a video. Not just any video — a sexually explicit one. Of himself. He called her right after. Asked her to delete it. Claimed it was meant for his girlfriend, whose name starts with "C," while Stalheim was saved in his phone as "City Attorney." He also blamed switching phones — apparently, iPhones and Samsungs don’t play nice when it comes to sending private content. But tech hiccup or not, a sexually explicit video wound up on a city employee’s phone. And in the eyes of the law, that matters. Does intent really not matter? It’s a question that pops up in a lot of workplace harassment cases: Does it count if it was an accident? Turns out, intent isn’t everything. Under employment law — including Title VII — what matters more is how the incident impacts the work environment. If someone receives something that’s sexual in nature, didn’t ask for it, and it creates a hostile, uncomfortable, or distressing atmosphere? That can qualify as harassment, even if it wasn’t on purpose. “The law looks at the impact, not just the motive,” says an employment lawyer familiar with digital misconduct cases. “It’s about whether the workplace became intimidating, offensive, or abusive.” In other words, even an “oops” can land an employer or public official in serious legal trouble. Real people, real impact The incident didn’t just affect Stalheim. After receiving the video, she was so shocked she told investigators she literally fell out of her chair. She was already processing emotional news, and suddenly, she’s the unexpected recipient of a private, deeply inappropriate message from her city’s top official. And it didn’t stop there. An HR employee who tried to help delete the video accidentally played it — and ended up seeing some or all of it. That means multiple people in city government were now pulled into something they never consented to, never expected, and couldn’t unsee. Leadership comes with limits — and responsibilities Let’s put the legal side down for a second. Just think about this from a leadership perspective. Ross was using a personal device for city business. He was juggling conversations about city affairs with private communications to a romantic partner — and somehow, those worlds collided. Whether or not he meant for it to happen, there’s a reason we expect more from public officials. Trust, professionalism, boundaries — those are part of the job. And when someone blurs those lines, there’s usually a price to pay. In this case, it was Ross’s job. Could the fallout go even further? Resignation might be the end of Ross’s political role, but that doesn’t mean the story’s over. Could the city — or Ross personally — face legal action? It’s possible. If someone affected by the incident chooses to file a claim, the legal routes could include: Sexual harassment due to a hostile work environment Emotional distress Mishandling of digital communication in a workplace setting Right now, no lawsuits have been filed. Before his resignation, Tom Ross was a well-known figure in Minot, North Dakota. Born and raised in the city, he graduated from Minot State University, where he led campus organizations, including serving as president of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. Professionally, Ross built a two-decade career in broadcasting and later worked as a Workforce Development Specialist at the Quentin Burdick Job Corps Center. He was deeply involved in community leadership, serving on the Minot Chamber of Commerce, the Minot State University Board of Regents, and Task Force 21, among others. Ross is also a father of three and enjoys outdoor activities like golfing, camping, and fishing. Despite a career built on public service and local engagement, a single digital misstep has now reshaped his legacy — and raised big questions about accountability, professionalism, and the risks of blurred boundaries in public office. More Articles from Lawyer Monthly Diddy Party Sexual Assault Lawsuit – What We Know So FarA high-profile case with big legal implications in the world of celebrity accountability. Gérard Depardieu Faces Trial for Sexual Assault: A #MeToo Turning Point in FranceThe global #MeToo movement reaches a major inflection point in the French legal system. Understanding Sexual Harassment in Today’s WorkplaceA deeper dive into the legal, psychological, and organizational layers of modern workplace misconduct.

Lawyer Monthly is the go-to digital destination for legal professionals seeking the latest industry updates, expert commentary, and practical guidance. Whether it’s corporate law, litigation trends, or the evolving legal landscape, Lawyer Monthly keeps its readers ahead of the curve.


Advertise on Lawyer Monthly

Latest content from Lawyer Monthly

Did North Dakota Mayor Tom Ross Commit Workplace Harassment — Even If It Was “Accidental”?

Clifford Chance Advises PSBC and CCB on RMB235 Billion A-Share Issuances

Debunking the Top 5 Myths About Personal Injury Claims in Albany

Hogan Lovells Welcomes Prominent Litigators in D.C.

Foundational Legal Considerations for Mixed-Use Apartment Blocks

Modern Ransom Tactics: 5 Real Cases Redefining Extortion

Mackenzie Anderson’s Murder: How the Legal System Failed to Stop Tyrone Thompson

Lawyer Monthly Audience

Gender (%)

  • Female63
  • Male37

Categories (%)

  • News Enthusiasts24.14
  • Movie Lovers13.17
  • Shopping Enthusiasts12.85
  • Sports Fans12.85
  • Cooking Enthusiasts12.85
  • Talk Show Fans12.23
  • Travel Enthusiasts11.91

Age (%)

  • 55-6424.24
  • 45-5421.83
  • 35-4417.44
  • 25-3414.78
  • 65+13.81
  • 18-247.90

Reach

256k
Monthly unique visitors
336k
Monthly page views
286k
Monthly Visits
169k
Organic Traffic
85k
Direct Traffic

Average Time Spent Per Visit: 2 mins 48 secs

Earning Potential per Group

55-64 years 
24.24%
$80,000 – $150,000+

Senior professionals, executives, and retirees with substantial wealth and investments.
45-54 years
21.83%
$70,000 – $130,000+

Mid-to-late career professionals often at their peak earning potential.
35-44 years
17.44%
$60,000 – $110,000

Mid-career professionals advancing into leadership roles.
25-34 years
14.78%
$40,000 – $80,000

Early-career professionals or entrepreneurs building their careers.
65+ Years
13.81%
$60,000 – $120,000

Retirees or late-career individuals with varying wealth levels.
18-24 years
7.90%
$20,000 – $50,000

Students, interns, or entry-level professionals with nascent earning potential.
Universal Media is a long established business to business publishing house. Two of its three main titles have been published since 2009. Universal Media’s publications are designed to provide insight, opinion and analysis to a core audience made up of the corporate, financial and legal sectors.