Former Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards

The city of Columbia and the ex-wife of Columbia’s former police chief came to a settlement out of court earlier this month in the federal lawsuit filed this summer against the city.

Carla Edwards, the ex-wife of former Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards, sought compensation for alleged violations of the state’s eavesdropping statute, the federal Stored Communications Act and illegal search and seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

“Upon receiving the complaint filed by Carla Edwards, the city immediately turned it over to its insurance carrier, who negotiated a settlement with the plaintiff.  The city’s insurance carrier paid the settlement amount in its entirety,” the city released in a statement.

Russell Watters, the attorney representing Carla Edwards, confirmed that a settlement was reached between the two parties “about 10 days ago.”

A notice of settlement was filed Nov. 3 at the U.S. District Court of Southern Illinois in East St. Louis. The case was officially dismissed on Nov. 9.

A document provided by the city indicates the settlement amount to be $150,000.

“It was certainly substantial enough to compensate Carla for her troubles,” Watters said. “She is satisfied with the resolution.”

In the suit, Carla Edwards alleged that Joe Edwards, while acting as chief of police, unlawfully accessed her cellphone to obtain private communications such as texts and emails. He did this by using police resources and technology including software and hardware generally known as “spyware,” the filing claims.

This is believed to have occurred last September. In October, Carla Edwards claims, then-chief Edwards and unnamed city employees compiled this information on a USB flash drive and provided it to other public employees in various positions of authority.

These persons then utilized the information to contact local and state public agencies, including the Department of Children and Family Services, in order to “embarrass and institute investigations” into her private matters and family “in an attempt to adversely affect her employment status” with the Columbia school district, according to the suit.

Watters added that his client intends to file another federal lawsuit against a separate public entity involved in this matter sometime over the next week.

Joe Edwards tendered his resignation May 16 to the Columbia City Council at their regular meeting, effective April 30.

Following that meeting, Carla Edwards expressed displeasure with the city for the terms of its separation agreement with Joe Edwards, which included a state-mandated payment of about $42,000 for unused vacation and comp time. He also received two months of health and vision insurance compensation, per an agreement with the city. Other details of the separation agreement remain confidential.

The 24-year CPD veteran was placed on administrative leave in February following the opening of an investigation regarding a domestic matter by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department.

He and Carla Edwards were officially divorced in October 2014, but the couple remains in a custody battle over their two teenage daughters.

The case was ultimately turned over to a special prosecutor in Springfield, who has to date declined to file any criminal charges. The Special Prosecution Unit has three years to file felony charges and 18 months to file misdemeanor charges against Joe Edwards.

Jerry Paul, who had served as deputy chief under Edwards and is a 22-year CPD member, was appointed chief of police.