Grand Forks area resident files report accusing Rep. Emily O’Brien of living outside district - InForum | Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo news, weather and sports

Oct 17, 2024

GRAND FORKS — A District 42 resident has formally accused state Rep. Emily O’Brien of living outside of the district she represents.

Jerome Stanley Waletzko filed a complaint with the Grand Forks Police Department on Friday morning, Oct. 11. He later informed the Herald of his complaint and provided documentation detailing why he suspects O’Brien, R-Grand Forks, is not being truthful about her residency.

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O’Brien is an incumbent up for reelection on Nov. 5.

The Herald requested any public information related to the GFPD report, and received a cover sheet Monday, Oct. 14. It includes little information other than details about the reporting party — Waletzko — as well as an offense type, which is listed as "police assist."

Lt. Andrew Stein confirmed the report was related to O’Brien allegedly living outside her district.

When the Herald reached out to O’Brien on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 15, she said this is a recurring issue, and attributed it to the Democratic party.

"One of their concerns is that my boyfriend and I have kids together, and so they don’t think — since we have children together, but we’re not married — that I should be able to have my own residence," O’Brien said.

O’Brien’s mailing address is 5021 W. Elm Ct., according to the North Dakota Secretary of State website.

However, Waletzko provided the Herald a letter in which he suggests O’Brien has been living with her partner, Jacob Green, and their shared children outside of the district — not only during the current election season, but also during the 2020 election season and 2021-2024 legislative sessions.

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In the 13-page letter, Waletzko claims a couple bought the residence located at 5021 W. Elm Ct. in 2016 and sold it in June of this year. Reviewing city assessor records, the Herald confirmed this was the case. O’Brien is not listed as a seller or buyer in 2016 or 2024, and the residence is classified as a single-family home.

Waletzko states that this property lies within the line of sight of his own residence, and though he has seen a couple and their children there, he has never seen O’Brien. He claims to have spoken with multiple neighbors who said the same.

O’Brien said that up until she purchased a residence earlier this year, she had been renting from friends who owned 5021 W. Elm Ct. She said she is often on the road for work. She has even heard people speculate why they’ve never seen her out running.

"I don’t run," she said. "I’m not a runner."

Waletzko claims the new owners of the property told him that O’Brien’s name was in the mailbox along with the names of the aforementioned couple, but the new owners had no idea who O’Brien is.

Waletzko is accusing O’Brien of using the address to mislead District 42 voters. He also cites online sources that list addresses associated with O’Brien and/or Green.

Polk County assessor documentation regarding a property Green and O’Brien own in Erskine, Minnesota, has listed two different mailing addresses for the couple for tax documentation purposes in 2023 and 2024. Neither of the mailing addresses are in District 42 but, instead, District 17.

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O’Brien said she does not live with her boyfriend; because they share children, they do what they need to make the situation work.

"I just feel like I do what’s best for me and my family," she said.

O’Brien said she purchased a residence earlier this year — 2029 Second Ave. N. The property is within District 42’s borders.

The residence was sold to Green Life Properties LLC on April 26, according to city assessor records. Minnesota business records list Green as the owner of this business, and O’Brien as manager.

O’Brien said she has already been in contact with the police about the report made against her.

"They can sit and say all sorts of talking points, but ... maybe come talk to me first, rather than going through the media outlets," she said. "To me, it’s unfortunate that that’s how they proceed with these things. But, you know, it is what it is."

She said she does not anticipate these allegations affecting her campaign for reelection.

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