Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Two lawyers accused of conflict of interest

Associated Press

BOISE — The Idaho State Bar has accused two Boise lawyers of conflict of interest for their roles in representing both a private development company and the University of Idaho Foundation in the failed $136 million University Place project.

Roy Eiguren and L. Edward Miller are named in the case, due to be heard before the bar association’s professional conduct board. The complaints ask that Eiguren and Miller be suspended and ordered to pay unspecified investigation costs.

They work for Givens Pursley, the law firm that represented the nonprofit foundation, which oversaw the project for the school, and Civic Partners Idaho LLC, the development company.

University Place began in the 1990s as the Moscow-based school attempted to expand in Boise. It ended with just one of two planned buildings — the $43 million Idaho Water Center — being constructed, allegations of illegal financial maneuvering that are still under investigation, and the 2003 resignation of university President Robert Hoover over an undisclosed loan.

In two separate complaints released Monday, the bar association said the lawyers’ work for the development company and the foundation was compromised because they were paid by both sides.

“The university and foundation did not receive the benefit of independent professional judgment, zealous advocacy and candid, diligent advice, and therefore, suffered from extremely disadvantageous terms,” according to the complaint.

Eiguren, one of Idaho’s most-powerful lobbyists whose clients range from Albertson’s Inc. to California utility Sempra Energy, and Miller, now get a chance to investigate the allegations and present witnesses before a three-person tribunal.

Calls for comment to the offices of Eiguren and Miller weren’t immediately returned late Monday.