Contract between DeOrr Kunz family, former investigator includes privacy policy

IDAHO FALLS — After the parents of missing child DeOrr Kunz Jr. sued their former private investigator for breaching confidentiality, EastIdahoNews.com obtained a work agreement between the family and Klein Investigations and Consulting (KIC).

According to the agreement, “all information obtained is the property of KIC, and a copy of all documentation is available to the client at any time. Information obtained shall be discussed only with you (the client), your legal counsel and no other person.”

The exception to this rule is that if Klein Investigations finds any violations of any state or federal law, the agency has the right to inform law enforcement.

READ: The entire work contract between Philip Klein and the DeOrr Kunz family.

This work agreement, between Dennis DeOrr Kunz — little DeOrr’s grandfather — and Philip Klein, CEO of the private investigative service, was reached in November and released as part of a breach of contract lawsuit filed by the family against Klein.

Attorney Allen Browning filed the case in Bonneville County court last week. The plaintiffs in the case are Vernal DeOrr Kunz and Jessica Mitchell, the parents of DeOrr Kunz Jr., and Dennis DeOrr Kunz.

WATCH | WITHOUT A TRACE: WHAT HAPPENED TO DEORR KUNZ?

Originally, the family hired Klein with a $20,000 retainer to aid law enforcement in the search for the missing boy.

The then-2-year-old toddler was reported missing July 2015 at the Timber Creek Campground in Lemhi County. Despite many searches, the child has not been found.

The family later fired Klein after he publicly announced to law enforcement and the media that he believed Vernal Kunz and Mitchell were involved in the disappearance of their son. He also claimed the couple were lying to investigators.

Lemhi County Sheriff Lynn Bowerman had previously told media that Vernal Kunz and Mitchell were suspects in the case.

The lawsuit contends that by sharing information with local and national media, Klein breached his “contractual and ethical duties of confidentiality” by releasing details of the case without the permission of the family.

READ: The entire lawsuit filed against Klein Investigations and Consulting.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges Klein failed to provide his clients with proof to back up his public statements.

It also contends Klein provided unfounded or false information to a wide audience on social media with the purpose of stirring up outrage and hatred of the parents.

“He published false and misleading information, which made an entire nation hate the parents of the missing child … and made most of the nation believe the parents had either killed the child or been responsible for his disappearance/death,” Browning wrote in the court document.

The lawsuit seeks the $20,000 that was originally paid to Klein. It also seeks additional to-be-determined damages, for “humiliation and loss of reputation” caused to the family, including the loss of incoming-generating potential.

Additionally, the lawsuit seeks a court injunction banning Klein from making statements on the internet or to media about the DeOrr Kunz case.

On Tuesday, Klein responded to the filing on Facebook by telling supporters he was staying on the case and considering a counter-lawsuit.

“After being served, we will answer the suit and we will make that answer public,” the Facebook post says. “The justice system works two ways. Sometimes you have to be careful what you ask for.”

When asked for comment on the case, Klein told EastIdahoNews.com, “The truth is the ultimate defense.”