KCRCC, Gookin settle lawsuit

COEUR d’ALENE — The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee said Wednesday it settled its defamation lawsuit against Dan Gookin.

The mediated settlement calls for Gookin to pay KCRCC $25,000, and the case will be dismissed, according to a KCRCC social media post.

"We're happy with that," KCRCC Chairman Brent Regan told the Press in a phone interview.

Gookin said his insurance, against his wishes, agreed to settle the case because it was less expensive than going to court.

"They made a business decision to settle," Gookin said. "I did not."

Gookin was displeased by what he called "malicious" comments KCRCC made about him in its social media post Wednesday when it announced the settlement. 

The comments were in connection to the chaotic Feb. 22 town hall meeting.

The post, in part, included: "Dan Gookin claims to be a 'North Idaho Republican,' but that label often hides a group that loves to target the KCRCC and other MAGA conservatives."

Gookin said the post may have violated terms of their settlement, which he said he is now rethinking. He said even if his insurance company, State Farm, doesn't agree, he may look into other "potential remedies."

Regan said KCRCC stands by its comments.
"All we did was post the truth," he said.

Regan said the settlement stands, as well.

"He can rethink it all he wants," Regan said.

Attorney Michael Haman, on behalf of State Farm, issued a statement that read in part: "State Farm and its retained counsel were and remain confident that Dan would have prevailed at trial but even a successful outcome likely would not have resulted in an award of fees and costs against KCRCC. Thus, State Farm chose to essentially stop the bleeding of money."

KCRCC sued Gookin, a precinct committeeman and Coeur d’Alene city councilor, in October. It accused Gookin of defaming the organization by accusing it of “rigging its 2023 candidate ‘rating and vetting’ process, perpetrating a fraud on its members and violating campaign finance laws — things which simply have not happened.” 

The parties met for mediation last week.  

Gookin previously described the lawsuit as “obviously an election stunt.” The central committee’s complaint was filed three weeks before the general election in which Gookin was running to retain his city council seat and required an answer by Election Day.

“They’re going to throw this at me and try to make me look bad,” he told The Press at the time. 

Gookin has maintained that his criticism of the central committee is protected under the First Amendment. 

"It’s not defamatory,” he said after the suit was filed. “It’s not malicious. It is legitimate criticism.” 

In court filings, the central committee asserted that as a “proximate result of Gookin’s Defamatory Posts, KCRCC has incurred general damages for harm to its reputation and goodwill, in an amount to be proven at trial. KCRCC also incurred special damages in the amount of $1,879.00 for printing expenses in connection with a letter that was necessary to dispel the false information Gookin published.”

After the settlement was announced Wednesday, Regan said via press release, "This settlement sends a clear message: We will not tolerate baseless smears against our organization. The KCRCC stands for truth and accountability, and this resolution allows us to move forward stronger than ever in serving Kootenai County’s conservatives.” 

The release went on to say that funds from the settlement will be used to "support ongoing efforts to strengthen the committee’s work in the region."

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Coeur d'Alene Press reporter Kaye Thornbrugh contributed to this report.

    Regan