COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris announced he will contest a lawsuit filed by a local woman who claims he made defamatory statements about her during a public forum.
In an email to local media outlets, including NonStop Local, Norris stated:
“I look forward to fighting this lawsuit so I can address Ms. Collinson’s baseless accusations. The legal process will allow me to initiate discovery and sworn depositions of those involved with her frivolous legal filing. I will expose the extent of this hoax. The claims are 100% false and represent nothing more than local-level lawfare aimed at creating doubt and uncertainty regarding my character and reputation. In my 30-plus years of impeccable public service, I’ve never been accused of any criminal wrongdoing, corruption, or sexual harassment until I decided to run for public office. Beware of fake news and election lies directed at your Sheriff.”
The lawsuit alleges that Norris claimed Pennie Collinson, the owner of a local photography company, was in possession of illegal child abuse materials.
“Pennie likes to give blow jobs and oral sex and photograph child pornography at the local library,” Norris was accused of saying by Collinson. The above-described conduct constitutes slander, defamation, publication in a false light, intentional and/or negligent infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy,” the tort claim said.
Collinson is pursuing $500,000 in damages for the county sheriff’s alleged statement, said the sheriff.
The lawsuit alleges that Norris claimed Pennie Collinson, the owner of a local photography company, was in possession of illegal child abuse materials.
“Pennie likes to give blow jobs and oral sex and photograph child pornography at the local library,” Norris was accused of saying by Collinson.
“The above-described conduct constitutes slander, defamation, publication in a false light, intentional and/or negligent infliction of emotional distress, and invasion of privacy,” the tort claim said.
Collinson is pursuing $500,000 in damages for the county sheriff’s alleged statement.
