Former workers sue Salvation Army

Rick Hempsmyer, former director of development at the Salvation Army's Boise office, says he still loves the organization where he spent the last 11 years as the group's public face.

His wife, Micki Hempsmyer, former grant program manager, was with the Salvation Army for five years.

Both lost their jobs, according to a complaint they filed in state District Court in June -- later transferred to federal court -- after more than a year of conflict with the Salvation Army about how the organization was spending cash donations.

"We've been trying to resolve this, but it came to a point where it wasn't going to get resolved. I felt I had no choice. It was painful to do," Rick Hempsmyer said.

The Hempsmyers are seeking unspecified damages from the Salvation Army Inc. for wrongful termination and breach of contract.

Here's what they say happened, according to the complaint:

In April 2008, the Hempsmyers told officials at the Salvation Army Cascade division headquarters in Oregon that Daniel Freeman, then captain in the Boise office, was using donations for unintended purposes.

The Hempsmyers said Freeman had used money donated for a summer camp for underprivileged children, for example, for general operating expenses, and to make up shortfalls at thrift stores.

The Hempsmyers also say Freeman, who was transferred to a Salvation Army post in Alaska as of July 1, cut off the couples' access to financial information, hampering their ability to do their jobs. Freeman did not return Statesman phone calls this week.

Officials at Salvation Army division headquarters told the Hempsmyers that the Boise office had not violated donation policies, so Rick Hempsmyer took the issue to the Idaho attorney general's office in April.

Bob Cooper, attorney general's office spokesman, said the consumer protection division looked into the matter.

"Mr. Hempsmyer made allegations that were not substantiated, to which the Salvation Army provided a credible response," Cooper said. "There was no factual basis to believe any wrongdoing had occurred."

The attorney general closed the matter June 15.

The Hempsmyers' complaint says Freeman edged Micki Hempsmyer out of her job by offering her the choice of resigning or cutting back on her hours and losing benefits.

The complaint also says Rick Hempsmyer got a choice from Cascade division headquarters: Stop cooperating with the attorney general's office and keep his job, along with a "warning" in his personnel file; resign; or do nothing, in which case he would be fired for insubordination.

Hempsmyer was fired in April.

"Now we're waiting to hear back from the Salvation Army and go from there," Hempsmyer said.

The couple intends to stay in Boise and continue working with people in need.

"We hope to find another organization that appreciates hard work and honest behavior," Rick Hempsmyer said.

Steven Robinson, Seattle lawyer for the Salvation Army, said the organization would not comment on the ongoing litigation.

Anna Webb: 377-6431