Bleak house? Raffle organizer files claim

Kevin Richert | 12/03/2013

The Middleton man who proposed a house raffle to help the Nampa School District is now positioning to sue the state.

Allaire.Michaelson — Philip Allaire, left, and former Nampa school Superintendent Thomas Michaelson.

Philip J. Allaire has filed a tort claim against the Idaho Lottery Commission, which opposes Allaire’s plans to sell the $100 raffle tickets online. The lottery contends the online ticket sales violate state law.

According to the tort claim against the Lottery, obtained by the Idaho Press-Tribune, Allaire “has suffered and will continue to suffer damages in excess of $500,000 as a result of these entities’ negligent, reckless and/or intentional acts or omissions.”

A tort claim is a precursor to a possible lawsuit against a public agency.

The lottery isn’t talking about the tort claim.

Allaire announced his plans for the raffle in May, pledging to sponsor a series of raffles to help Nampa schools offset $4 million in shortfalls. He abruptly ended the raffle on the first house, after only a few days and selling only 47 tickets, after the lottery commission said his plan violated several state and federal laws.

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 35 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. He can be reached at [email protected]