Sheriff’s Troubles May Cost County Insurance

Sun., March 26, 1995

From Staff And Wire Reports

Latah County’s insurance carrier has warned that the county’s coverage could be cut unless it reverses a trend of litigation against Sheriff Joseph Overstreet.

“A review of claim activity during the most recent two years reveals that an extraordinary number of claims have been registered against Latah County, particularly in the law enforcement-personnel realm,” the Idaho Counties Risk Management Program board of trustees wrote in a letter.

Latah County commissioners made the March 10 letter public on Friday, one week before a deadline for persons gathering signatures to force Overstreet to face a recall election.

Latah County, according to records, pays an annual premium of $88,085. Six claims from five former and current employees have been filed against the sheriff, one of them being settled out of court for $123,000. Two tort claims and two lawsuits are pending.

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Sheriff’s Troubles May Cost County Insurance

Jesse Tinsley

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