Capitol Punishment

Former North Dakota Senator Ray Holmberg went from political power to prison. Secret raids, coded messages, a hidden alias, and shocking revelations of child sex tourism led to his 10-year federal sentence. This episode unpacks how it all came crashing down.

Joel Heitkamp is joined in the KFGO studio by North Dakota’s Attorney General, Drew Wrigley, and U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota, Jennifer Puhl. After the sentencing of former North Dakota State Senator, Ray Holmberg, Joel talks with Drew and Jennifer about the case. Judge Daniel Hovland went well over the recommended guidelines of 37-46 months and sentenced Holmberg to 120 months. Joel asks them about the length of the sentence, others involved in the affairs, and more. 

From News and Views on KFGO Radio,  Joel Heitkamp is joined in the studio by Tyler Axness, host of Afternoons Live, Ryan Janke from the KFGO Newsroom, and Dane DeKrey, a criminal defense lawyer and partner at Ringstrom DeKrey, who has spent a decade in both private and public law.

While the team at KFGO News Radio is digging into the new information and updates relevant to Capitol Punishment we bring you this special update. Host of News and Views Joel Heitkamp and Host of Afternoons Live Tyler Axness discuss the death of former Deputy Attorney General Troy Seibel.

Emails from the late Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem were made public from a phone the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. 2,700 pages containing multiple emails were produced and poured over by the KFGO News team. 24 hours later, it was announced thousands of more emails existed from a personal computer obtained from the same Bureau of Criminal Investigation.  What was in the first batch of emails and what can the public expect to find out going forward in these ongoing investigations? Capitol Punishment investigates. 

A rush to delete Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem's emails before open record requests could be submitted has caused a swirl of legal questions into those who made the swift decision. The reason for the deletion? Because Wayne "kept EVERYTHING." But, were those emails and other communications really gone forever? KFGO News radio explores in this episode of Capitol Punishment.

Cozy relationships in state government can lead to cutting corners, sweetheart deals, and in the case of Attorney General Stenehjem's new building misdemeanor charges. KFGO News Radio dives into the nearly $2 million cost overrun of the newly renovated building leased while Attorney General Stenehjem was in office, and how one loyal lawmaker had the inside track to the taxpayer lease.

Episode 3 explores the use of taxpayer funded travel by lawmakers. Following the revelation of federal charges against former State Senator Ray Holmberg, Global Bridges became a topic of conversation. Were state funds used to travel for alleged crimes? 

Ray Holmberg was the longest serving State Senator and one of the most powerful lawmakers in North Dakota history. His tenure, relationships, and position gave him great say in state government. His time in office came to an abrupt end when it was revealed he was exchanging text messages with an individual charged with child pornography.  Episode 2 of Capitol Punishment explores the timeline of federal charges being brought against Ray Holmberg. 

The tragic and untimely passing of North Dakota's longest serving Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem sent shockwaves throughout the state. In this episode of Capitol Punishment, we'll revisit the timeline of that fateful, chaotic day and begin to examine the news and events that followed. 

A preview of the upcoming Capitol Punishment podcast present by KFGO radio.  The office of North Dakota’s Highest law enforcement official has been under a cloud of grief, suspicion, and tumult. KFGO news radio will try to give you the most comprehensive picture of what we know now about the death of North Dakota’s longest serving Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and the swirl of controversy that remains in his wake.