WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Whatcom County Council is responding to a lawsuit filed by an inmate at the Whatcom County Jail.

The case, filed in the Western District Court of Washington in January, was filed by 48-year-old Richard Kirkham.

Kirkham has been in custody at the Whatcom County Jail since September 2023 and faces numerous charges including several no-contact order violations and unlawful firearm possession. He alleges that the jail and its staff were negligent in treating longstanding physical and mental health issues.

Kirkham also alleges specific staff members threatened him when he inquired about access to counsel and pre-trial services.

The lawsuit names current Sheriff Donnell Tanksley and former Sheriff Bill Elfo among over a dozen defendants.

Kirkham is seeking nearly $5 million in damages and prompt access to appropriate medical care.

Whatcom County Councilmembers discussed the lawsuit at their meeting Tuesday and voted to back four defendants who currently work for the county, including Sheriff Tanksley.