Chuck Hosack- former Judge for the First Judicial District in Idaho

Hosack was born and raised in Moscow, Idaho, and obtained his law degree from the University of Colorado. He moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1978, where he worked as a trial lawyer until his appointment to the bench.

Judge Hosack is perhaps best known for presiding over the landmark civil trial that bankrupted the Aryan Nations in 2000, resulting in a $6.3 million verdict that forced the sale of the racist organization’s compound. When assigned this high-profile case, he had been a judge for only about two years.

Administrative District Judge John Luster called Hosack “a deep thinker” and noted that other judges learned from his handling of the Aryan Nations case. His professional papers from his judicial service are archived at the University of Idaho.

The presentation will cover the trial’s national significance, drawing coverage from major outlets including The New York Times and Washington Post, and highlight the crucial role of local human rights activist Bill Wassmuth (namesake of Boise’s Wassmuth Center) in orchestrating the successful legal effort. Judge Hosack will provide unique judicial insights into the proceedings that resulted in the $6.3 million verdict, effectively dismantling the hate group’s operations and removing their compound from the region.

This talk offers a rare perspective from the bench on one of Idaho’s most significant civil rights cases and its lasting impact on the community.

See you on Thursday and as always…Guests are welcome!!