County Attorney Candidate Fired From County Attorney Solicitor Job After 2025 Misconduct Investigation

Key Points:

• Steven Endres, a former Merrimack County attorney, was investigated and subsequently fired following allegations of inappropriate sexual comments and behavior toward legal secretaries and coworkers, which he denies or disputes.
• The investigation was triggered by a Valentine's Day 2025 text from Endres commenting on a secretary’s attire, leading to a 50-page report based on interviews with secretaries, office management, and a sexual assault investigator.
• The report detailed numerous instances of Endres making sexual jokes or comments, some causing discomfort among female employees, and highlighted concerns about a power imbalance due to his close relationship with County Attorney Paul Halvorsen.
• Endres denied many allegations, including inappropriate texting and comments, and claimed he was never warned or made aware that his behavior was unwelcome; he also switched political parties after his firing and plans to run for county attorney.
• The investigation revealed a workplace environment where Endres’ conduct, including remarks about employees’ appearances and sexual innuendos, was seen as unwelcome and disruptive, though some coworkers described the office atmosphere as generally friendly.