fremgenfritzJamestown (CSi) The Stutsman County Commission, Tuesday, unanimously authorized, Stutsman County auditor/chief operating officer, Casey Bradley to enter into a contract with the Village Business Institute to provide consulting service work with Stutsman County State’s Attorney Fritz Fremgen and his staff. The agreement includes having VBI provide employee-assistance program services to all county employees.

Fremgen will work with a leadership coach from the Village Business Institute in Fargo to correct his management style after an external investigation determined he had created a hostile work environment for his staff.

Commissioners also authorized moving Fremgen’s office to the first floor of the Stutsman County Law Enforcement Center and that all communication between Fremgen and the Stutsman County State’s Attorney Office be channeled through Stutsman County Chief Assistant State’s Attorney Troy LeFevre.

Bradley said the issue of Fremgen allegedly creating a hostile work environment, is a violation of the Stutsman County personnel policy.

Bradley indicated that because Fremgen is an elected official, the county cannot terminate his employment.

He added that the governor’s office could have taken action to remove Fremgen from office if it had been determined his actions with the staff were a crime. Bradley said Fremgen’s conduct didn’t rise to the level of criminal action.