Convicted of federal crimes, ex-Caldwell police officer says he was wrongfully fired
A former Caldwell police lieutenant who was convicted of three federal charges related to record destruction and witness tampering is now seeking $5 million from the city, alleging he was wrongfully terminated and defamed.
Joey Hoadley, who was a police officer with Caldwell for 21 years, filed a tort claim against the city that alleged Caldwell officials defamed him, were negligent in his name-clearing investigation, falsified reports of his misconduct and wrongfully fired him.
Hoadley awaits sentencing in February, after he was the subject of a yearslong FBI investigation on his alleged excessive use of force. A jury in September found Hoadley guilty of three federal crimes: destruction, alteration or falsification of records in a federal investigation; tampering with a witness by harassment; and tampering with documents.
Hoadley said in the tort claim that he sought a name-clearing hearing, and that Caldwell Mayor Jarom Wagoner declined to let him bring witnesses or evidence to the hearing.
“I was denied the opportunity to present witnesses as allowed by the city of Caldwell policy,” Hoadley said in the claim. “This decision was made solely by Mayor Jarom Wagoner after the Caldwell city attorney gave him the authority to choose whether to allow my due process rights or not.”
A tort claim is a civil claim made against a state or local government for a wrongful or negligent act. A tort claim is a precursor to a lawsuit, but not all plaintiffs follow up unanswered claims by suing.
The city declined to comment on a list of emailed questions by the Idaho Statesman.
Hoadley alleges harassment during investigation
The FBI in 2020 began investigating a 2017 incident in which Hoadley allegedly struck a man while arresting him. The FBI brought charges against Hoadley this year that included deprivation of rights related to the 2017 case. He was acquitted on that charge.
In his tort claim, Hoadley said when he found out that he was the subject of an FBI investigation in December 2020, he asked Caldwell Human Resources to place him on paid administrative leave “to avoid any conflict of interest of claims of tampering with witnesses.” He said his request was denied twice.
In his tort claim, Hoadley said the department and city were responsible for “false information released to media outlets by city of Caldwell personnel.” He also said an internal email from the police department was released to the media.
Before he was fired on May 3, Hoadley said in the claim that he was placed on paid administrative leave on Jan. 24, but was told he would have access to the police department. He said days later, his name and photo were removed from the city website and replaced by a new Investigations Division commander.
Hoadley said he was asked to return his equipment, but was told that he was not facing disciplinary action. But later he was served termination papers, he said.
Hoadley said he was wrongfully fired based on minor policy violations. Hoadley said he and his family were harassed during the investigation. He said his nephew, Jonathan Hoadley, who also works in the department, received a note that said “snitch” on his desk.
Hoadley’s requests for an acquittal and retrial were denied by U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl, a Wyoming judge presiding over his case. He is scheduled to have a sentencing hearing at 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, at the James A. McClure Federal Building in Boise.
