Idaho coffee shop owner awarded $4 million after being booted from campus

An Idaho coffee shop owner was awarded $4 million after she moved her business off campus due to pressure for flying a pro- police flag.

Sarah Jo Fendley, the owner of Big City Coffee, filed a $10 million tort claim against Boise State University, BSU President Marlene Tromp, Vice President for Equity Initiatives Francisco Salinas, and BSU administrators Alicia Estey and Leslie Webb in 2021, after her contract with the university was terminated over displaying a pro-police "thin blue line" flag. While most of the claims were dismissed, the lawsuit against Estey and Webb was given the go-ahead, ending in Fendley's victory on Friday.

“I’m thankful that the truth finally came out and grateful to the jury for their time and effort,” Fendley said after the ruling. “It’s been a long four years, and I’m just happy that it’s over.”

Webb and Estey, meanwhile, said they would appeal the decision to Idaho's Supreme Court.

“We respectfully but strongly disagree with today’s verdict and plan to appeal,” they said. "We were honoring the First Amendment rights of all involved."

Fendley was awarded $3 million in damages for business losses, mental and emotional distress, personal humiliation, and lost reputation, and another $1 million in punitive damages. It is not clear who will pay for the verdict.

The trial climaxed in a seven-hour appearance on the witness stand by Nicole Nimmons, the associate vice president for campus services and the primary point of contact between Fendley and BSU.

Estey, Webb, Tromp, and Fendley’s former fiancé and retired Boise Police Department Sgt. Kevin Holtry all took the stand to face questioning from both sides, Boisedev reported .

Fendley displayed the "thin blue line" flag to commemorate Holtry, who was paralyzed after being shot in the line of duty in 2016. Outrage over the flag from BSU students flared up when the new location opened on campus in 2020, leading to its closure after only 42 days. Fendley argued that she was forced off campus, while the university argued that she left voluntarily.

The ruling in favor of Fendley was praised by Idaho Freedom Foundation President Ron Nate, who portrayed it as a "warning to other institutions."

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“I am thrilled at the outcome of this trial," Nate said in a statement. "This verdict not only is a big win for free speech and the 1st Amendment, but it is also a warning to other institutions who would use dirty tactics to promote a woke agenda and create a cancel culture on their campuses. Big thank you to Sarah Fendley for standing up for what is right! This is just one of many victories to look forward to.”

Local Republicans also praised the result, with Ryan Spoon, first vice chairman of the Ada County Republican Party, saying, “Every once in a great while, our justice system actually delivers justice.”