FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Fargo Park District has entered a federal filing seeking to dismiss claims of age discrimination and retaliation by former executive director Dave Leker.
In the suit filed by Leker in March 2025, he claimed the board subjected him to adverse employment actions due to his age and discussions of early retirement.
Leker claimed the board’s comments about needing a “visionary” leader after discussing early retirement and replacing him with a younger employee established age discrimination.
During a board meeting in June 2023, a number of concerns about Leker’s job performance were characterized as “leadership deficiencies” and that he was failing to meet expectations.
He was terminated “without cause” on a vote of 3-2.
Leker had served in the role since 2019 after the resignation of Joel Vettel.
This past June, he took over as executive director of Bismarck Parks and Recreation District.
Leker has until Friday to respond to the motion for summary judgment, ending the lawsuit.
If the case proceeds, a jury trial will take place in May.
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