Uncovered Emails of Deceased North Dakota AG Wayne Stenehjem Aid Ongoing Investigation – Sky Bulletin
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In a surprising turn of events, previously deleted emails belonging to the deceased North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem have been recovered. These emails are now part of an investigation concerning a former legislator’s alleged misconduct.
Attorney General Drew Wrigley announced that approximately 2,000 of Stenehjem’s emails were retrieved from a backup on his personal phone. This discovery is pertinent to the case against ex-state Senator Ray Holmberg, who faces charges related to sex crimes involving a minor.
Ray Holmberg, 80, from Grand Forks, has been indicted for allegedly travelling overseas with the intention to engage in sexual activity with a minor. The indictment, which was revealed in October 2023, also accuses him of obtaining child sexual abuse images. Holmberg maintains his innocence, and his trial is set for April.
Both Holmberg and Stenehjem were long-serving members of the state Legislature and shared a friendship. Holmberg stepped down in 2022, and Stenehjem passed away the same year. Stenehjem was not implicated in any criminal activity related to Holmberg.
The email retrieval was achieved following a request for Stenehjem’s phone to be unlocked for accessing photographs for his funeral service.
Wrigley compared the surprise recovery to finding a zip drive in a “sock drawer,” emphasizing that Stenehjem’s email account itself is gone. He highlighted that while questioned, Stenehjem was never accused in Holmberg’s case.
Current investigations include examining Stenehjem’s phone data for any potential evidence related to Holmberg’s case. However, Wrigley has not specified the reasons for involving Stenehjem’s phone data.
The investigation team is also reviewing the emails concerning past records requests. In 2022, media inquiries sought information on a building project that exceed its budget by over $1 million during Stenehjem’s tenure. The findings showed that Stenehjem’s emails were deleted after his death, an action directed by his assistant, Liz Brocker, who later resigned. No charges were filed related to the email deletions.
FAQ Section
What was contained in the recovered emails of Wayne Stenehjem?
Full details of the contents of the emails have not been disclosed, but they are under investigation for any relevant information they may contain regarding the case against former state Senator Ray Holmberg.
Will anyone be charged for the deletion of Wayne Stenehjem’s emails?
As of now, a special prosecutor has declined to press charges in connection with the deletion of Stenehjem’s emails. Liz Brocker directed the deletion but has since resigned and no criminal charges have been filed.
What are the charges against Ray Holmberg?
Ray Holmberg has been indicted for traveling to Europe with the intent of paying for sex with a minor and for receiving images depicting child sexual abuse. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Did Wayne Stenehjem have any involvement in Ray Holmberg’s alleged crimes?
There is no accusation of any criminal involvement by Wayne Stenehjem in Ray Holmberg’s case. Stenehjem was a friend and was questioned as a witness, but he was never accused of any wrongdoing in connection to Holmberg.
Conclusion
The recovery of Wayne Stenehjem’s emails has introduced a new dimension to the ongoing investigation of Ray Holmberg’s alleged criminal activities. With the trial set to commence soon, these emails could play a critical role in the legal proceedings. The incident also raises questions about the handling of digital data and the protocols followed after the passing of public officials. As the case unfolds, the potential impact of these newly discovered emails remains to be seen.
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