ISP Clears Caldwell Police Chief in ‘Misuse of Public Funds” Investigation

According to a public records request obtained by the Idaho Dispatch, Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram has been cleared of an allegation that he misused public funds, violating Idaho Code 18-5701.

The investigation was launched after an anonymous letter alleged that Ingram was using public money, violating Idaho law. The letter made a series of allegations and was received by Canyon County Prosecutor Bryan Taylor in March 2024.

The letter stated in full,

Advertisement

“Dear [redacted name],

I am writing you as a fellow citizen of Caldwell. I have followed you on social media and applaud your vision and your courage to stand up for what is right. It is your tenacity for holding public officials accountable as the reason in which I am contacting you.

I cannot disclose my name as I am not in a position where I can afford the backlash that would come from such a thing. I have intimate, first hand knowledge that the Chief of Police of Caldwell, Rex Ingram, regularly uses tax payer money to fund extravagant vacations that he says is “training.” Not only vacations, but he used tax payer money to pay for a trip to Los Angeles where he had to be in court for a federal lawsuit. This is only the tip of the iceberg. He has used his city issued credit card for numerous things that are for his own personal gain.

Advertisement

I am appalled at this flippant abuse of a public official and am hoping you can help. I have no doubt that a simple public records request for all this spending since being appointed Chief of Police will surely reveal not only extremely unethical acts, but likely illegal ones as well.

I wish I could meet with you in person and disclose more, but again I have to keep my identity secret as I have to protect my livelihood.

Thank you for all that you do and keep up the good fight.

Advertisement

Sincerely,

A concerned citizen”

Boise County’s Alex Sosa was named the Special Prosecuting Attorney and charged with investigating whether the allegations were true. The public records request includes a seven-page letter from Sosa detailing the specific allegations against Ingram and whether they were true.

Sosa says in his letter that interviews were conducted with Caldwell Lieutenant Dave Wright and Deputy Chief Shawn Sopoaga. Ingrahm and Lieutenant John Tucker were also named as being interviewed in the investigation.

Allegations against Ingram included using public funds to compensate non-law enforcement personnel, such as family members, through airfare, lodging, vehicle rental costs, and the purchase of a music streaming service.

Sosa’s letter says that Caldwell has a multi-level process for approving expenditures. According to the letter, all expenditures have a corresponding receipt associated with Ingram and were accounted for.

On some of the accusations that Ingram had non-law enforcement personnel listed on travel documents, Sosa says that it appears the travel dates for those events were for law enforcement events and that the account where the travel was booked auto-populated his spouse’s information with his own.

On one charge for a music streaming service, Sosa says the investigation found that while the one-month charge was made, Ingram notified his assistant about the charge and repaid the department for the charge. Sosa says that the Idaho code about misuse of public funds requires “intent” to use or appropriate money knowingly. Because Ingram did not do either for the charge, the code does not apply according to Sosa’s assessment.

In his conclusion to the letter, Sosa says,

“Based on my analysis of the evidence in this case, and the legal framework in the State of Idaho, I conclude that the City of Caldwell Police Chief Rex Ingram did not violate Idaho Code 18-5701, Misuse of Public Moneys by Public Officers and Public Employees. Therefore, based upon the Idaho Rules of Professional Conduct, specifically Rule 3.8(a), I am declining prosecution in this matter.

The multiple level approval system with documentation shows that any expenditure was independently approved to be an appropriate use of public monies for the use and benefit of the Caldwell Police Department. Additionally, any mention of non-law enforcement personnel was inadvertent, where public monies was not appropriated on their behalf, and the one time transaction for person music streaming was inadvertent and repaid.

This letter serves as the final disposition in this matter, and the Boise County Prosecutor’s Office review of this matter is now closed.”

If anyone has any additional items to review regarding this investigation, please contact greg@idahodispatch.com.

The full document is below: