(Pocatello for Accountable Government Entities, July 20, 2026)
Pocatello taxpayers pay for the City of Pocatello’s (liability) insurance premiums to Idaho Counties Risk Management Program (ICRMP) which is a “member owned, member driven” governmental entity through which a “claim” is filed when the City is sued or damage incurred to city property, etc. As is the case with any insurance, there are limits to the coverage, dependent upon the type of claim. The FY2026 budgeted ICRMP premiums were $1,818,301.
Given that taxpayers pay for ICRMP premiums, basic transparency is essential to ensure accountability and that lawsuits (although not uncommon) are NOT viewed as simply a cost of doing business.
With that in mind, we regret to inform you that the City of Pocatello/PPD are defendants in (2) NEW Federal Civil lawsuits, both filed in JUNE 2026.
NEW LAWSUITS:
Case 4:26 – cv- 00344 Schenk v. City of Pocatello, City of
Tremonton, City of Garland, et al.
Excerpt from complaint: “This lawsuit seeks compensation, primarily through 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 and 1988 for the illegal and unconstitutional seizure, arrest, extradition and literal kidnapping of the Plaintiff by specifically identified defendants. Additional Monell claims relating to the policies, practices and training of the City and County are alleged as well.” This incident took place in June 2024.
Case 4:26 – cv -00399 Webster v. City of Pocatello, et al.
Excerpt from complaint: “This is a civil rights action in which the Plaintiff seeks relief from Defendants for violations of Plaintiff’s rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution, specifically, the Fourth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments. This action is primarily based on the policies and actions of the City of Pocatello and its police force in relation to illegally charging people, including the Plaintiff, with crimes for using fireworks in the City in July of 2024.
EXISTING LAWSUITS:
Case 4:25 – cv- 00333 Alicia, Luis (personal rep of estate of
Victor Perez) and Alicia, Wanda v. City of Pocatello, et al.
Case 4:24 – cv -00284 Planer v. City of Pocatello, et al.
TOTAL POCATELLO FEDERAL CIVIL LAWSUITS PENDING AS OF 07/16/2026: 4
CLOSED LAWSUIT:
Case 4:24 – cv – 582 Frey v. City of Pocatello, et al.
The above (Frey) case was closed through the filing of a joint stipulation for dismissal of the entire action with prejudice on 06/23/2026. It was mutually agreed for each party to pay their own costs.
The City as a matter of practice, does not comment on litigation.
