Mayor Quits Job After Mistakenly Sends Inappropriate Video to Attorney Instead of Girlfriend
A mayor from North Dakota was forced to resign after accidentally sending an inappropriate video to a city attorney instead of his girlfriend.
A “wrong send” refers to accidentally sending a message, file, or video to the wrong person. This mistake usually happens when someone intends to send something to one person, but they mistakenly send it to someone else, often with unintended or embarrassing results.
The person who receives the message might get confused or misinterpret the intent, which can create uncomfortable situations or even cause arguments. In some cases, it can even damage their reputation, especially if the content is sensitive or controversial.
In January 2025, Mayor Tom Ross was talking to city attorney Stefanie Stalheim about a police officer who had tragically taken his own life. After their conversation, Ross mistakenly sent a video of himself, which he intended for his girlfriend, to Stalheim.
The video was inappropriate, and Ross quickly realized his mistake. Upon realizing what had happened, Ross immediately called Stalheim, asking her not to open the video and to delete it. However, Stalheim still saw the thumbnail of the video, which revealed what had been sent.
Two weeks later, Stalheim filed a complaint against Ross for being “reckless” with his actions. She also requested a formal apology from him and suggested he consider stepping down from his position as mayor.
Investigators later decided that the incident, even though accidental, fell under “workplace harassment” due to the nature of the mistake. As a result, Ross resigned from his position on April 2 and publicly expressed regret for the incident.
While Ross’ mistake was unintentional, it had serious consequences for both his career and his reputation.
In another post, former mayor Jerry Pelayo to file charges against vloggers for hunting endangered ducks
The social media users expressed their reactions to the incident:
