(GRAND FORKS, ND) – A representative for a longtime Republican and founder of the UND Center for Innovation is speaking out after being named in a report related to the Ray Holmberg child sex crimes case.
Bruce Gjovig was mentioned in the Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s probe of former North Dakota legislator Raymond Holmberg, who was sentenced recently to federal prison for traveling to Prague to have sex with underage boys.
Holmberg allegedly sent e-mails to Gjovig in February 2011 regarding one of the boys he had come into contact with in Prague, Czech Republic.
Holmberg referred to the boy as his twink, which is a gay slang term for a young boy.
“Twink is too young for me, but nice,” Gjovig responded.
In response, Aaland Law Firm, who represents Gjovig, said he was cooperative with law enforcement.
Gjovig’s attorney Cash Aaland said Gjovig has never been in Prague and adds his client ‘was appalled by Mr. Holmberg’s alarming criminal conduct.’
“Mr. Gjovig cooperated with the criminal investigation of Ray Holmberg by participating in an interview with law enforcement officers and by testifying under oath when required to do so by the US Attorney’s Office prosecuting Mr. Holmberg,” Aaland said in a statement.
The North Dakota University System also issued their own statement.
“We have read the recent reporting regarding former Senator Ray Holmberg with a deep sense of sadness,” the University System said in a statement released Saturday. “We feel despair for the victims and their families, and shock that individuals connected to the State Board of Higher Education or North Dakota University System may have had knowledge of Holmberg’s conduct.”
House Minority Leader Zac Ista of Grand Forks and State Senator Tim Mathern of Fargo, both members of the Democratic-NPL Party, introduced a bill requiring elected officials and higher education employees to report knowledge of crimes against children.
“This would be a step toward justice as we continue to process Holmberg’s vile crimes and uncover more information on what has become the most egregious scandal in our state’s history,” Mathern said in a statement.
“We have learned that Holmberg actually did share his true self with close associates years earlier,” Ista also said in a statement. “We owe it to the people of North Dakota to act now so this never happens again in our state.”
