Convicted legislator Green declares intent to run for sheriff

John Green, the Rathdrum legislator removed from the Idaho House in January after his conspiracy conviction in federal court, has declared his intent to run for Kootenai County sheriff.

The former lawmaker was convicted in a Texas courthouse for conspiring to defraud the United States in a tax evasion scheme. Election officials say his candidacy might not stick.

“The statute given to us by the [State] attorneys is that you have to be registered in the voter rolls, and you have to be a qualified elector,” Kootenai County clerk Jim Brannon said.

A conviction, Brannon added, removes Green from the voter rolls.

“I’ve referred his filing to the [Idaho] Secretary of State,” Brannon said. “I’ve received his filing, but I have not accepted it.”

Green, who was a sheriff’s deputy in Texas for approximately 10 years, ran for Kootenai County sheriff in 2012 and 2016, losing both times to Ben Wolfinger.

In January, the District 2 representative from Rathdrum was convicted of using a bank account he controlled to hide proceeds from the sale of his clients’ gold coins. He faces five years in federal prison, though he has promised to appeal.

State law prohibits a convicted felon from serving in the Idaho House until he or she has satisfied that debt or had the conviction overturned. A similar law applies to Idaho voters, one that disqualifies Green as a voter and, as a result, a candidate.

Attempts to contact Green for comment were unsuccessful.

Brannon said he personally received the paperwork from Green. When asked if he was surprised to see the former lawmaker file his intent, Brannon laughed.

“It’s the crazy political season,” he said. “I’m not surprised by anything.”