Aryans' old home set for appraisal

Spokane Spokesman Review/November 23, 2000
By Bill Morlin

Appraisal needed: One well-used Nazi compound and church, a farmhouse and outbuildings on 20 acres in North Idaho.

A trustee for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the District of Idaho wants to know what the now-abandoned Aryan Nations site is worth. The appraisal is needed because its former owner, Aryan Nations leader Richard Butler, filed for bankruptcy Oct. 30.

Property appraiser Robert Sprinkel of First Appraisal Services of Coeur d'Alene has been hired by bankruptcy trustee Ford Elsaesser to conduct an appraisal. The appraisal company will be paid $600 for its work, according to documents filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Coeur d'Alene.

It's not known when Sprinkel, who couldn't be reached Wednesday, will conduct the appraisal of the controversial landmark on Rimrock Road, north of Hayden Lake.

Butler moved from the compound in mid-October and into a $107,500 home in Hayden purchased by his friend and fellow racist, Vincent Bertollini of the 11th Hour Remnant Messenger.

Butler listed debts totaling $5,808,303, including $5.8 million he owes Victoria and Jason Keenan, who won civil damages in September.

Before the bankruptcy court discharges Butler's debts, a judge must inventory and appraise his assets, including the property.

The Keenans are expected to eventually end up with the deed to the property.

A meeting of Butler's creditors is set for Dec. 11 at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Coeur d'Alene. The Keenans will be represented at that meeting by their lawyer, Norm Gissel of Coeur d'Alene.