2 Suspended Deputies Suing Latah County

Two Latah County sheriff’s deputies are suing the county in an effort to restore their “tarnished” records and recoup wages lost after they were suspended in separate incidents.

Deputy Christopher A. Mickelsen’s attorney, Mark S. Moorer, said his client was treated unfairly by Latah County Sheriff Jeff Crouch, who is named in the lawsuit.

Mickelsen’s complaint, which was filed in 2nd District Court last week, alleges he was off duty on Oct. 18 when he and friends spent the day riding four-wheelers and enjoying a campfire on Moscow Mountain.

While Mickelsen was driving home, he picked up two men walking along Moscow Mountain Road.

After determining the two had been in an accident, Mickelsen dropped them off at the University of Idaho Sigma Alpha Epsilon house. The two refused to go to the hospital, according to the complaint.

Mickelsen then reported the accident to the sheriff’s office.

He later received a memo from Crouch saying he was under investigation for interfering with the accident investigation. He was suspended two days and lost $193.44 in wages.

Moorer said Crouch invented the violation and did not offer Mickelsen due process.

Moorer also is representing Sgt. Mike Connolly, who is suing the county based on allegations against Crouch.

Connolly was charged with criminal trespass. Although those charges eventually were dismissed, Connolly was suspended from work for four days without pay.