Boise developer and Pontifex Capital owner Lee Gientke has filed a defamation lawsuit against political activist Eric Phillips, alleging that Phillips made false and damaging statements about Gientke’s role in an attainable-housing project completed in Caldwell.
The complaint, filed in Idaho’s 3rd Judicial District Court in Canyon County, claims Phillips circulated “false and unfounded accusations” through multiple channels, including emails sent to media outlets and documents submitted to the Idaho Attorney General’s Office in September and October. According to the filing, Phillips accused Gientke of financial and political misconduct tied to the development project — allegations Gientke says are baseless and defamatory.
Gientke’s lawsuit argues the statements were made “with reckless disregard for the truth” and caused substantial harm to his professional reputation, business relationships, and personal well-being. The lawsuit seeks general and special damages, injunctive relief requiring retraction of the statements, and any additional remedies the court deems appropriate.
“The defamatory and libelous complaint filed by Eric Phillips only exposes his lack of understanding and experience,” Gientke said in a statement released Wednesday. “His claims show he knows nothing about how urban renewal agencies operate or the history of my project, which was designed to provide sorely needed affordable housing in one of the poorest parts of Caldwell.”
According to Gientke, the project fully complied with city and state requirements and was completed in coordination with local officials to help address Caldwell’s growing housing needs. “This was about improving the community, not politics,” he said.
Phillips, a former Caldwell City Council candidate, has been a recurring figure in local conservative politics and a vocal critic of Caldwell’s urban renewal agency. He runs the Caldwell Community and Crime Facebook page, a local forum that frequently discusses policing and city government issues, and previously worked as a school security guard in the Caldwell School District. Phillips also collaborated with Idaho Dispatch, a now-defunct website founded by former Caldwell resident Greg Pruett, which published stories critical of local officials and law enforcement that were not aligned with Pruett’s personal politics.
Gientke’s lawsuit claims Phillips’s recent accusations follow a pattern of politically motivated attacks meant to damage reputations and stir local controversy. “Mr. Phillips has never created a single job, managed a single person, or been responsible for a budget of any size,” Gientke said. “He is unqualified to lead the fourth-largest city in Idaho. I will not let these false, defamatory, and libelous accusations prevent me from supporting candidates around the state who support a pro-business, pro-growth agenda. Mr. Phillips should be on notice that I will seek all legal remedies to defend and repair my reputation from their baseless attacks.”
Public records show Gientke’s company, Pontifex Capital, has developed several residential and workforce-housing projects across the Northwest. The firm focuses on attainable housing — projects designed to bridge the gap between market-rate and low-income housing — and has completed developments in Boise, Caldwell, and other communities in the Treasure Valley.
Court filings indicate that Gientke’s legal team intends to prove Phillips’s statements were not only false but also made with the intent to harm. The complaint references communications allegedly shared by Phillips with multiple reporters and public officials that, according to Gientke, distorted the nature of the Caldwell project and his involvement in it.
The lawsuit underscores growing tension in Canyon County politics, where development, housing affordability, and local governance have become flashpoints between business leaders and anti-establishment activists. Phillips and his allies have publicly opposed several city-led initiatives, often framing them as examples of government overreach or corruption.
According to campaign finance reports listed on the Idaho Secretary of State website, there is no record of any donations from Gientke or his firm to Doty.
The Idaho legislature recently passed an Anti-SLAPP law that expedites the summary judgment process for defamation lawsuits. That law goes into effect in January.
The case will proceed in the 3rd Judicial District Court, which covers Canyon County, including Caldwell and Nampa. As of Thursday, Phillips had not issued a public response to the lawsuit, and no court date had been set.
Pontifex Capital, Gientke’s firm, continues to operate throughout the region, focusing on projects that integrate affordable and workforce housing. According to company information, the firm’s mission is to create housing opportunities that support working families and strengthen local economies in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Utah.
About the Author
Gregory Graf is the creator of Political Potatoes and a lifelong conservative Republican who lives in Star, Idaho.
Do you want to help support Political Potatoes? Please consider upgrading to a paid subscription and/or leave a tip 😊 Your support keeps this work going and is appreciated.
Disclaimer
The following is intended to convey an opinion on newsworthy events of public concern regarding public figures and/or public officials in exercising their official duties. No implications or inferences—beyond those explicitly stated in the preceding— are intended to be conveyed or endorsed by the Author. Wherever available, hyperlinks have been provided to allow readers to directly access any underlying assertions of fact upon which this opinion is based.