Grail nightclub lawsuit against ISP thrown out

A lawsuit against the Idaho State Police filed by the owners of The Grail nightclub in Huetter has been dismissed by the state Supreme Court.

Coeur d’Alene attorney Susan Weeks filed the suit on behalf of Grail owner Lang Sumner, alleging the business had been denied due process by the district court when it granted a state police motion to deny The Grail’s restaurant license.

The state court ruling, issued last week, said that because The Grail did not request a hearing on the motion at the district court level, the allegation cannot be considered.

“This made no substantive ruling on whether they should or should not have the license,” Weeks said.

A hearing in that case, pending in district court, is scheduled for March.

The ruling orders The Grail to reimburse the state for any costs it incurred fighting the suit.

“We’re understandably disappointed, but that’s why you have the Supreme Court,” Weeks said.

A spokesman for the Idaho State Police declined to comment until he could learn more about the case.

– Meghann M. Cuniff

Region

FBI starts tip line for public corruption

The FBI has established a tip line to receive reports of public corruption in Idaho, Montana and Utah.

Anyone who believes the public trust has been betrayed by individuals holding public office or serving in a position of public service may call the number, (866) 502-7423.

A person also may report corruption online at saltlakecity.fbi.gov. An e-mail address is provided there for sending a report. Individuals are encouraged to provide contact information so a follow-up communication can be made. However, anonymous tips can be provided.

The new tip line coincides with indictments charging three Davis County, Utah, school employees with criminal violations in connection with alleged fraudulent activities over a five-year period involving the misappropriation of more than $4.5 million.

“People may not consider this case to be an example of public corruption because it does not involve dishonest conduct by an elected public official,” said Special Agent in Charge Timothy Fuhrman of the Salt Lake City FBI field office.

“However, any individual who serves the public and abuses that trust given to them by the citizens he or she serves can be the subject of a public corruption investigation and possible prosecution,” he said.

Public corruption cases are the highest priority of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Program. In the past two years, investigations by the FBI have led to the prosecution and conviction of more than 1,000 public officials nationwide, and there are more than 2,000 public corruption investigations pending.

– From staff reports