SANDPOINT — First District Judge Barbara Buchanan is releasing Bonner County from a lien filed by a sovereign citizen who sought $45,000 in damages for using his name in a property tax notice.

Mark Francis Perlinger filed the common-law lien against the county after Bonner County Treasurer Cheryl Piehl sent him a letter advising him of an outstanding tax debt, according to court documents. Perlinger argued his name is copyrighted and charged the county $15,000 for using it. He also sought triple damages for the alleged offense.

Bonner County filed suit last month to obtain a release from the lien and a hearing was held on Friday. Perlinger did not appear in person or over Zoom video, court documents indicate.

Perlinger, 66, did file notices of divine appearance and nonappearance, He describes himself as a state national of the United States and argued the court had no jurisdiction in the matter or the authority to conduct Friday’s hearing. He also accused the county of identity theft, according to court records.

Buchanan ruled state law prohibits non-consensual common law liens, a statute that was created to prevent the sort of liens filed by Perlinger. Buchanan further held that there was no basis for the lien.

Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor Bill Wilson said the county could seek damages for the filing of a fraudulent lien. However, the county is declining to seek damages.

“We just want the lien gone,” Wilson said during the hearing.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.