Marcus Stevenson is sudden resigned as mayor of Midvale this week came after an allegation surfaced that she was having an affair with a city employee.

That accusation came from the mayor’s wife.

“I saw my husband, Marcus Stevenson, in circumstances with another person 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 his affair and indicated he was with ‘someone he works with.’

The former mayor did not respond to multiple requests for comment Thursday and Friday.

Nikki Stevenson told city officials in her letter, which The Salt Lake Tribune obtained through an open records request, that she has “substantial” evidence corroborating the affair, including “camera footage, text messages, recordings audio, telephone recordings and direct communication’. with the city employee, who she said was romantically involved with her husband and is his “subordinate.”

That employee’s name was blacked out on the document.

Stevenson’s wife cited a number of city codes she said her husband violated during their relationship and asked that he and the employee be placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

The mayor’s investigation ended, however, when Stevenson announced his resignation Thursday morning in a letter to Midvale City Manager Matt Dahl and City Council members.

“After much consideration and with a heavy heart, I am resigning as mayor of Midvale, effective immediately,” Stevenson said in a news release. “Over the last few weeks my personal life has changed drastically and I have decided it would be best to retire 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 fulfill their duties faithfully. She also accused him of violating a city policy that requires two city employees involved in a “romantic, dating or sexual relationship without a spouse” to notify their department manager.

She further cited Midvale codes that prevent supervisors from having such a relationship with employees they “supervise up the chain of command.”

Her letter also noted a prohibition against “unwanted 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 the professional performance of person or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.”

Nikki Stevenson wrote that “as a resident and taxpayer, I am concerned that failure to address this issue could lead to further complications and potential harm to the residents of Midvale City. The matter has already caused further harm to me and my children, as well as … the other person involved.”

For their part, city officials declined to divulge why the mayor resigned or reveal the nature of the allegation, citing the need to follow Midvale personnel policies and protect those involved.

As a result of the complaint, Dahl explained, the city hired a third-party law firm, which investigated the allegation and cleared Stevenson of violating state law. He said the firm was in the process of investigating alleged violations of city policies when the mayor resigned, effectively ending the need for further investigation.

It is unclear what, if any, action is being taken against the city employee involved in the alleged business.

Stevenson was 27 years old when he was elected in 2021 to lead the 36,000 residents of Midvalemaking 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.

A passionate skaterStevenson was popular with young people and became known as a vocal advocate for affordable housing, community involvement, more recreational opportunities, and his efforts to revitalize Main Street and breathe life into other moribund areas of Midvale.

City Council members expressed dismay at Stevenson’s sudden exit from politics.

“While we are deeply disappointed by the circumstances surrounding his departure,” board members said in a statement, “we remain committed to moving forward with integrity and responsibility.”

Longtime council member Paul Glover, who is mayor pro tempore, will serve as interim mayor until the council names a permanent replacement within the next 30 days, according to state law.