Shoshone Treasurer Files For Bankruptcy Embarrassed By Personal Finances, Official Says County’s Are Fine

The woman who collects and invests Shoshone County taxpayers’ money has declared bankruptcy - for a second time.

Shoshone County Treasurer Tamara House faced more than $86,000 in debt, according to federal court documents filed in May. The debt included more than $6,100 in state and federal income taxes. She earns $29,000 per year.

“There’s some things you have to do,” said House, former president of the Idaho Association of County Treasurers. “This has been a personal embarrassment for me.”

Despite House’s financial woes, annual audits show no serious problems in the county treasurer’s office.

House, 43, blames the recent bankruptcy on her ex-husband, Lane House.

She said he didn’t pay promised financial support for her and her children after their divorce two years ago. The daughter and sons are grown, she said, but live with her part time in Wallace.

But Lane House, now a gold miner in Winnemucca, Nev., has a different version of events.

“There was no promise made” to pay support, he said Monday. In fact, he said, his ex-wife still owes him $8,000 from the sale of their home. Court documents put the figure at $6,291.

The real problem, Lane House said, was that his ex-wife insisted on buying expensive clothing and sports equipment for the children and herself.

“It was because of her stature in the community,” Lane House said. “She never knew when to quit buying.”

She and Lane House declared bankruptcy the first time in 1984. They faced nearly $98,000 in debts when Lane House, who was working as an Asarco miner, was laid off.

This May, the judge ordered $505 per month deducted from Tamara House’s earnings to pay creditors. The recent sale of her house shaved about $45,000 off her debts.

Her list of assets included her miniature schnauzer dog, valued at $199.

She said her financial problems have nothing to do with her ability to handle the public’s money.

“When I make a decision at home, sometimes you don’t always think of all the ramifications,” she said. “When I’m dealing with the county, I protect the taxpayers.”

Jo Bolen, the county’s independent auditor for the past six years, said Shoshone County’s audits have shown no serious problems. Most investments are handled by the state treasurer’s office as part of an investment pool, Bolen said.

“Overall, they’re in good shape,” she said. “They seem to be pretty much on a par with other counties.”

Shoshone County Commissioner Sherry Krulitz and the other board members had no comment on House’s bankruptcies.

Cathy Quiroga, who just stepped down as president of the Idaho Association of County Treasurers, gave House high marks. House served the previous one-year term as president.

“The lady is highly regarded by her peers across the state,” said Quiroga.

House was re-elected last year with 65 percent of the vote. She’s been Shoshone County’s treasurer for the past 14 years, and worked as a deputy auditor for the county for six years before that.

“Being an elected official does not make me any less human,” she said recently. “We all make mistakes, and we all have feelings - something I think the public tends to forget.”

, DataTimes