North Dakota Ethics Commission Makes First Finding

State Rep. Jason Dockter. (Kyle Martin/For the North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – The North Dakota Ethics Commission found Rep. Jason Dockter committed three ethics violations related to his ownership of a Bismarck building, but the agency did not hand down any penalties for the lawmaker.

The announcement, released Friday evening, marks the first time the commission has declared that a public official engaged in unethical behavior.

The Ethics Commission noted the Bismarck Republican likely leveraged his position and his relationships with state employees to arrange a lease with the Attorney General’s Office, according to the commission’s 93-page investigation report.

The report also identified unanswered questions regarding the finances of the building and highlighted challenges that stalled the investigation, including witnesses who declined to be interviewed.