SPOKANE, Wash – The man who served as the face of public health in Spokane during the COVID-19 pandemic has settled with the health district that ultimately fired him.
Dr. Bob Lutz served as the local health officer for the Spokane Regional Health District from 2017 until he was fired in October 2020.
During the start of the pandemic, Lutz wrote several op-eds in the Spokesman-Review, including one citing racism in the public health system.
Lutz says he was told to stop writing the articles.
He also says he was pressured by the Spokane Regional Health Board to move more quickly through the phases of relaxed COVID-19 precautions.
The health district fired Lutz in October 2020.
He sued for wrongful termination.
The case was moving towards trial, but Lutz’s attorney confirmed with 4 News Now that the health district settled with Lutz and will pay him $1.65 million.
© 2026 KAYU FOX 28. All rights reserved. Content may not be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without written permission.
