Idaho man sued for speaking out in public hearing

Read the press release: https://www.thefire.org/news/new-fire-defends-idaho-conservation-officer-sued-criticizing-wealthy-ranch-owners-airstrip

Gary Gadwa is a former conservation officer and first responder with 38 years of experience in search-and-rescue operations in the federally protected Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

In 2022, Michael Boren, a wealthy landowner in the Sawtooth region, applied for a county permit to designate part of his Stanley, Idaho ranch as an airstrip. When Boren claimed it could be used for search-and-rescue operations, Gary felt the need to speak up and speak out.

Boren was ultimately granted the permit over Gary’s and many others’ objections. But instead of taking his permit and going home, Boren turned around and sued Gary and over twenty other critics for defamation.

Idaho’s 7th District Court correctly dismissed the lawsuit against Gary in 2022, but Boren appealed that decision. Now, FIRE is representing Gary, and we're asking the Idaho Supreme Court to affirm the trial court’s dismissal and uphold the right to engage in First Amendment-protected speech without being sued into silence.