Boise State University Reaches $225,000 Settlement in Idaho Whistleblower Lawsuit Filed by Former Administrator
BOISE, Idaho — Boise State University has agreed to a $225,000 settlement in a whistleblower lawsuit filed by a former university administrator who claimed she was fired after speaking out about alleged age discrimination against female co-workers. Idaho’s Office of Risk Management “contributed” the settlement funds, according to a State Department of Administration official, bringing a legal dispute that drew significant attention to the Boise-based university’s internal culture to a formal close.
Background: How the Lawsuit Began
Lisa Gardner, Boise State’s former executive director for alumni relations, filed the lawsuit in April 2025. Gardner, who had held the position for more than a decade at a salary of $128,107 per year, alleged she was terminated in December 2025 in retaliation for advocating on behalf of two female co-workers — both over the age of 40 — who she said were passed over for promotions and raises in favor of younger colleagues.
In a 2025 tort claim that preceded the civil suit, Gardner sought damages of more than $2.5 million. The lawsuit named several defendants beyond the university and its foundation, including David Johnston, Boise State’s assistant vice president for alumni and constituent engagement; Argia Beristain, current foundation CEO; and former Boise State President Marlene Tromp.
Gardner’s lawsuit alleged that Johnston and Matthew Ewing — Boise State’s former vice president of university advancement and Boise State Foundation CEO — “promoted multiple younger women to positions or reassigned to them job duties that had belonged to employees who were 40 years of age or older.” The suit also alleged that an unidentified high-ranking university and foundation official had engaged in “an inappropriate intimate, romantic, or sexual relationship with a younger female employee and subordinate” who had recently received a promotion.
Key Details of the Settlement
The case began moving toward resolution in February. On February 20, attorneys for both Gardner and Boise State co-signed a notice of settlement, stating that “the parties participated in a successful mediation during which all parties reached an agreement to settle all pending claims in this action.” The brief filing offered no financial details at the time.
On March 27, the parties signed a follow-up agreement. Under the terms, Gardner agreed to drop her case, and all parties agreed to pay their own legal fees. Ada County District Judge Jason Scott formally dismissed the lawsuit on March 30, canceling a jury trial that had been scheduled for October.
State Department of Administration Executive Assistant Jenni Stoy confirmed the settlement amount to Idaho Education News in an email, noting that Idaho’s Office of Risk Management contributed the $225,000. Attorneys for Boise State did not respond to requests for comment. The State Board of Education deferred to the university, which also declined to respond. Brady Hall, Gardner’s Boise-based attorney, had no immediate comment on the settlement.
Gardner had also filed a second, similar lawsuit on February 11 listing only the university and foundation as defendants. Hall filed a motion on March 27 to dismiss that case on his client’s behalf as well.
Impact on Ada County Taxpayers and Boise State
Because Idaho’s Office of Risk Management — a state agency funded by Idaho taxpayers — contributed to the settlement, the resolution carries implications beyond the university itself. Boise State is a public institution, and settlements involving state risk management funds draw on resources ultimately tied to the state budget. The $225,000 figure is substantially lower than the more than $2.5 million Gardner originally claimed in damages, though her attorneys did not comment on the outcome.
The case reflects ongoing scrutiny of workplace practices within Idaho’s public university system, particularly around age discrimination, internal advocacy, and retaliation protections for employees who speak up on behalf of colleagues. Boise State, which employs thousands of staff and administrators across its Treasure Valley campus, has not publicly addressed the underlying allegations that prompted the suit. Cases involving accountability at Idaho institutions — from clergy abuse claims now before the Idaho Supreme Court to workplace and civil rights disputes — continue to test how the state’s legal framework protects individuals who challenge powerful organizations.
What Comes Next
With the dismissal entered March 30 and the second lawsuit moving toward dismissal as well, the legal proceedings appear to be concluding. However, questions about Boise State’s internal employment practices and oversight from the State Board of Education remain unresolved in the public record. Ada County residents and Idaho taxpayers interested in how public university funds and state risk management resources are managed can contact the Idaho State Board of Education or review filings through the Idaho Fourth District Court in Ada County. Those following broader accountability issues in Idaho’s public institutions may also wish to monitor ongoing developments from the Idaho Attorney General’s office, which plays a role in state legal affairs.