Ex-wife alleges police chief hacked phone to embarrass her

The wife of former Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and unnamed city employees alleging Edwards unlawfully accessed her cellphone and provided information from her phone to other employees.

Carla Edwards, who is Joe Edwards’ former wife, filed an amended seven-count complaint on Wednesday.

Edwards and Columbia city officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Carla Edwards alleged in her complaint that the police chief in September 2015 unlawfully accessed her cellphone, obtained information and saved it on a thumb-drive and gave it to other employees in various positions of authority.

“These Defendant Jane and John Doe public employees then utilized this improperly obtained information to contact various local and state public agencies, including but not limited to Illinois Department of Children and Family Services in order to embarrass and institute investigations into (Carla Edwards) and her private matters and family and in an attempt to adversely affect her employment status,” the petition stated.

The complaint further stated that the chief of police violated her Constitutional rights by invading her privacy, conducting an illegal search.

Carla Edwards is seeking punitive and compensatory damages and legal and court costs. Russ Waters, Carla Edwards’ attorney, could not be reached for comment.

Joe and Carla Edwards divorced, but they are scheduled to appear in Monroe County Court on the case on Monday.

Edwards was placed on paid administrative leave in February. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department investigated unspecified allegations against Edwards. He resigned as part of a settlement with the city.

He led the department during the high-profile murder case of Sheri Coleman, 31, and her sons, Garrett, 11, and Gavin, 9, who were found strangled in their beds on May 5, 2009. Sheri Coleman’s husband, Christopher Coleman, who was a bodyguard for televangelist Joyce Meyer, was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Christopher Coleman admitted to having an affair with Florida dog track waitress Tara Lintz, who was Sheri Coleman’s best friend in high school.

Christopher Coleman is being held in an out-of-state prison.

Edwards was also an outspoken critic of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Service after Elyse Mamino delivered a baby into a toilet at a Columbia home in 2009. Edwards questioned the agency’s decision to return the baby girl to Mamino’s custody. Mamino was later charged with attempted murder of the newborn girl. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years in prison.

This story was originally published August 3, 2016 at 1:25 PM with the headline "Ex-wife alleges police chief hacked phone to embarrass her."