By Joanna Putman
Police1
BOISE, Idaho — A jury has ordered Boise State University to pay $4 million to the owner of Big City Coffee in a lawsuit stemming from the closure of the shop following student concerns over her pro-police views, the Idaho Statesman reported.
On Sept. 13, a jury sided with Sarah Fendley and awarded her $3 million for business losses, emotional distress, personal humiliation and reputational damage, according to the report. An additional $1 million in punitive damages was levied against former Boise State Vice President of Student Affairs Leslie Webb, who was named in the lawsuit.
The dispute began when Fendley’s campus shop closed in October 2020, just six weeks after opening. Fendley claimed she was forced out after students raised objections to her support of the “thin blue line” symbol, according to the report. The lawsuit centered on whether Boise State administrators retaliated against her for exercising her First Amendment rights by penalizing her for her pro-police stance.
Boise State’s attorney argued that Fendley terminated the contract herself, while Fendley’s legal team maintained the university’s actions drove her to close the shop. Fendley initially sought $10 million in damages.
Big City Coffee’s downtown Boise location also closed earlier this month, and Fendley announced she would be “taking a break” from the business, according to the report.
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