A former North Dakota legislator charged with traveling to Prague with the intent of paying for sex with a minor used state funds to pay for at least three trips to that city and to other destinations in Europe, according to a group that organized the travel.
It’s unclear whether the alleged conduct happened during the publicly funded trips. But the indictment says Holmberg traveled to Prague 'from on or about June 24, 2011, to on or about Nov. 1, 2016 ... for the purpose of engaging in any illicit sexual conduct.' One of the travel records for the funded trips lists a departure date of June 24, 2011, to Prague and other cities.
If Holmberg traveled on the state's dime to commit the alleged conduct, 'I would say it was a misuse of dollars,' Mathern said. 'I have no question that this was a misuse of tax dollars.' The situation indicates 'we as a system need to make some changes,' he said. Holmberg served over 45 years in the North Dakota Senate.
Holmberg, who is retired, had a career with Grand Forks Public Schools from 1967 to 2002, including years as a teacher, child find coordinator and counselor.