While the instant efficiency of e-mails lends itself to informal conversation, my situation shows how casual communication can be preserved and misinterpreted forever. I hope these 3 year old e-mails are reviewed in their full context. In the words of the Idaho Supreme Court, they are mere “informal communications between an employee and her supervisor.” Most of the 597 e-mails addressed by the Idaho Supreme Court are simple greetings, replies, and e-mails forwarded to my office by other public officials. Both the number and content of the e-mails have been grossly exaggerated.

Several of the e-mails are sarcastic exchanges and are only making fun of malicious gossip mongering. E-mail sarcasm and humor was a way to poke fun at and deal with cruel rumors and pettiness. Some of the e-mails express frustrations by Ms. Kalani and me about the JET program. They were never meant to be taken out of context. My wife, Geri, whom I have loved during 34 years of marriage, has reviewed these e-mails in their entirety, and long ago publicly stated that she had no concern. However, it was a mistake to use my e-mail in such an informal way and I sincerely apologize.

Neither my department nor I will use county e-mail again to send jokes, express sarcasm, or transmit anything that may be misinterpreted. As an elected official I take full responsibility and ownership for my own e-mail use and my department. In our busy office, I have sent tens of thousands of e-mails in the conduct of official business. A few “will believe what they want to believe” regardless of the e-mail content. When read in their full context, they contain nothing more than innocent sarcasm, humor to brighten the spirit of an employee, and joking conversation.

Bill Douglas
Kootenai County prosecutor

Full Douglas' statement here

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