North Dakota lawmaker found guilty of misdemeanor speculation by jury
North Dakota state lawmaker, Republican Rep. Jason Dockter, has been found guilty of a misdemeanor in connection with a state-leased building that he has ownership ties to. The jury’s verdict, reached on Friday, has sparked discussions among legislative leaders about ethics and conflicts of interest.
Dockter was charged in December 2023 with speculating or wagering on official action, to which he pleaded not guilty. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 360 days in jail and/or a $3,000 fine. While Dockter has expressed his intention to consider an appeal, his sentencing date is yet to be scheduled.
The criminal complaint against Dockter alleged that, as a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, he had voted on legislative bills appropriating money for property in which he had a pecuniary interest, a violation of state law and legislative rules. The charge stemmed from complaints filed with the state Ethics Commission.
Republican House Majority Leader Mike Lefor voiced his concerns about the case, emphasizing the need for clarity on conflicts of interest to ensure legislators feel comfortable in their roles. He highlighted the importance of revisiting legislative rules, state statutes, and engaging in discussions with the Ethics Commission to establish clear guidelines.
Any ambiguity surrounding conflicts of interest, as noted by Lefor, could create challenges for scenarios where legislators may be required to vote on matters that directly impact their personal or professional interests.
While the prosecutor, Ladd Erickson, refrained from commenting on the verdict, the case surrounding Dockter is part of a larger controversy involving the state-leased building. The building, initially leased by the late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, experienced a cost overrun exceeding $1 million that remains unresolved.
Attorney General Drew Wrigley, who succeeded Stenehjem, disclosed the cost overrun and the deletion of Stenehjem’s state email account shortly after his passing. The deletion was authorized by Stenehjem’s executive assistant, Liz Brocker, who subsequently resigned. Despite his personal and professional connections to the building, Dockter has denied any misconduct in the lease arrangement.
In response to the verdict, Democratic House Minority Leader Zac Ista called for Dockter’s resignation, a request that Dockter has not immediately complied with. Majority Leader Lefor, on the other hand, stated that the Republican-controlled House is unlikely to take immediate action against Dockter, especially with the Legislature not scheduled to convene until January 2025.
The revelations of the cost overrun and deleted emails have raised concerns among lawmakers regarding transparency and trust within the state government. Earlier this year, Wrigley’s office managed to recover thousands of Stenehjem’s emails through a cellphone backup, releasing them in response to public records requests.
Furthermore, Stenehjem’s phone data has become the subject of an investigation related to former state senator Ray Holmberg, who faces accusations of intending to engage in illicit activities overseas. Holmberg’s trial is set to commence in September, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding events in North Dakota’s political landscape.
