Former Fargo Employees Filed Federal Lawsuit

Four former city workers allege the city conducted a biased investigation and committed retaliation.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Corruption

Former Fargo Employees Filed Federal Lawsuit

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Four former City of Fargo employees have filed a federal lawsuit against the city, alleging a biased investigation into the communications department. The plaintiffs claim the city engaged in due process violations, civil libel, and retaliation.

Why it matters

The lawsuit centers on claims that the city sought to remove these employees from their positions while simultaneously damaging their professional reputations. Plaintiffs argue the investigation was unfair due to the selective interviewing of former employees with negative perceptions.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota involving four former employees. Legal proceedings are currently underway to address allegations of retaliation, civil libel, and due process violations.

The players

Gregg Schildberger

He is one of the four former Fargo city employees who filed the federal lawsuit.

Michael Redlinger

He is a named defendant in the federal lawsuit brought by the former communications staff.

Zoe Bolonyi

She filed the original complaint that triggered the city's investigation into the department.

City of Fargo

This is the municipal government body currently being sued in the U.S. District Court.

The details

Plaintiffs claim the city violated internal promises by releasing the investigative report to the media after an original complaint was filed by Zoe Bolonyi. The suit names several city officials as defendants, including Michael Redlinger, Brenda Derrig, Jill Minette, and Beth Weigman.

August 7, 2025: The plaintiffs received the final investigation report.
August 13, 2025: All four plaintiffs resigned from their city positions.
August 2025: The city released the investigation results to the media.
October 2026: The lawsuit was formally filed in federal court.

Legal Context

This case follows the release of a controversial internal report regarding municipal department operations. It highlights ongoing legal tensions concerning how cities manage personnel investigations and the potential for civil liability when handling internal communications.

The lawsuit brings focus to the administrative practices of city government and the treatment of former public employees. Residents may monitor these proceedings as they involve potential implications for city transparency and the management of municipal departments.

The takeaway

This case underscores the legal risks cities face when conducting and publicizing internal investigations into staff. It serves as a reminder of the importance of due process in protecting both the rights of public employees and the integrity of municipal administrative actions.