Idaho just settled another whistleblower case. This one cost the state $545,000.

A federal trial in a whistleblower lawsuit filed against the state of Idaho that was slated to start April 15 has been canceled because the state has settled the case.

Former Idaho Department of Labor purchasing agent James Cryer sued the department in December 2016, claiming the department retaliated against him and fired him for his efforts to stop employees from skirting purchasing rules. He alleged that the department issued a dummy subpoena and obtained his phone records as it hunted for the source of anonymous complaints that included purchasing and hiring violations in the department.

According to a court document filed April 12, the case has been been settled and dismissed.

The Idaho Department of Labor paid half of the $545,000 settlement. The Idaho Department of Administration risk management program paid the other half, according to Diane Blume with the Department of Administration. The state also will pay Cryer’s legal fees, although that amount has not been determined.

Read more: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article229176459.html