Marcus Stevenson’s abrupt resignation as Midvale’s mayor this week came after an allegation surfaced that he was having an affair with a city employee.
That accusation came from the mayor’s wife.
“I witnessed my husband, Marcus Stevenson, in circumstances with another individual that gave me reason to believe he was engaged in an extramarital affair,” Nikki Stevenson wrote in a complaint filed with the city last week. “When confronted, Marcus admitted to his affair and indicated it was with ‘someone he works with.’”
The former mayor did not respond to multiple requests Thursday and Friday for comment.
Nikki Stevenson told city officials in her letter, which The Salt Lake Tribune obtained through an open records request, that she has “substantial” corroborating evidence of the affair, including “camera footage, text messages, audio recordings, phone records and direct communication” with the city employee, who she said was involved in the romantic relationship with her husband and is his “subordinate.”
That employee’s name was blacked out in the document.
Stevenson’s wife quoted a number of city codes that she said her husband violated in the relationship and asked that he and the employee be put on paid administrative leave during an investigation.
The investigation of the mayor ended, though, when Stevenson announced his resignation Thursday morning in a letter to Midvale City Manager Matt Dahl and members of the City Council.
“After much consideration, and with a heavy heart, I’m submitting my resignation as mayor of Midvale City, effective immediately,” Stevenson stated in a news release. “In recent weeks, my personal life has drastically changed, and I’ve determined that it would be best for me to step away at this time. I ask for understanding and privacy.”
In his wife’s complaint to city officials, she said her husband violated his oath of office under a state law that requires elected officials to discharge their duties with fidelity. She also accused him of violating a municipal policy that requires two city employees involved in a “nonspousal romantic, dating or sexual relationship” to notify their department director.
She further cited Midvale codes that bar supervisors from having such a relationship with employees they “supervise in the chain of command.”
Her letter also noted a prohibition against “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.”
Nikki Stevenson wrote that “as a resident, and taxpayer, I am concerned that the failure to address this matter could lead to further complications and potential harm to the residents of Midvale City. The issue has already caused subsequent harm to myself and my children, as well as … the other involved individual.”
For their part, city officials have declined to divulge why the mayor stepped down or to disclose the nature of the allegation, citing the need to comply with Midvale personnel policies and to protect those involved.
As a result of the complaint, Dahl explained, the city employed a third-party law firm, which investigated the allegation and cleared Stevenson of breaking state law. He said the firm was in the process of probing alleged violations of city policies when the mayor resigned, effectively ending the need for further inquiry.
It’s unclear what, if any, action is being taken against the city employee involved in the alleged affair.
Stevenson was 27 when he was elected in 2021 to lead Midvale’s 36,000 residents, making him the youngest mayor in that city’s history. A political activist, he cut his teeth in the political arena helping with several high-profile campaigns. He also served as political director of the environmental nonprofit O2 Utah.
An avid skateboarder, Stevenson was popular with the youth, and he became known as a vocal advocate for affordable housing, community involvement, more recreational opportunities and for his efforts to revitalize Main Street and breathe life into other moribund areas of Midvale.
City Council members expressed dismay at Stevenson’s sudden political exit.
“Though we are deeply disappointed by the circumstances surrounding his departure,” council members stated in a release, “we remain committed to moving forward with integrity and accountability.”
Longtime council member Paul Glover, who is the mayor pro tempore, will serve as interim mayor until the council appoints a permanent replacement within the next 30 days as required by state law.
