Fired jail commander sues sheriff, county
Boundary County’s fired jail commander Jeff Ennis claims he was let go because he ran against his boss — sheriff Greg Sprungl — in last year’s election.
Ennis filed a wrongful dismissal suit at the Boundary County Courthouse Monday, requesting lost wages and damages.
“He worked there for 12 years and he had an exemplary career there,” said Hayden attorney Larry Purviance, who is representing Ennis.
He and his wife, Sandra, filed the suit against Sprungl, Boundary County commissioners Ron Smith, Dan Dinning and Walt Kirby, and chief sheriff’s deputy Rich Stephens.
Sandpoint attorney Phil Robinson, who represents the county, claims Ennis was let go because he failed to earn a specific certification required for the job.
“The issues that came up with the certification existed even pre-sheriff Sprungl,” Robinson said. “It goes way back. There were numerous attempts made to bring the thing into compliance.”
Sprungl could not be reached for comment because he is out of town.
“I’d love to comment, but I do not want to report on a former employee’s information,” said Stephens.
According to the lawsuit, Ennis ran an unsuccessful campaign against Sprungl in the Republican primary in May 2008. During the campaign, Ennis claims that when Sprungl spoke at a public gathering, he said Ennis “had better win the election, otherwise he will be without a job.”
After Ennis lost in the primary, he ran an unsuccessful write-in campaign for the Nov. 4, 2008, election. Sometime after the election, Dave Colby was named jail commander, according to the suit. Ennis was placed on administrative leave with his $15.71 an-hour-pay on Dec. 12, 2008.
On March 19, 2009, Ennis received a letter indicating he was being fired and had seven days to respond. Ennis was told it was because he did not have the proper certification to serve as a detention deputy.
“He tried for many years to get that and he was (certified) in California before he came here,” Purviance said. “He was here for 12 years and suddenly they decided he needed to be post certified.
Ennis claims he was initially denied unemployment, but the decision was reversed.