JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Former Jackson Mayor Pete Muldoon has filed a lawsuit against Teton County, along with two other men, claiming prosecutors falsified and exaggerated evidence against them, and used the media to vilify them in their community.
In a lawsuit filed February 14, 2022 in U.S. District Court, Muldoon is joined by Michael Crothers, and a third plaintiff using the moniker “John Doe.” Each plaintiff claims they were wrongly accused of sexual assault-related crimes.
“Teton County and its law enforcement have overstepped the law in their overzealous efforts to effectuate alleged justice,” lawsuit documents stated. “Although Teton County’s actions have undoubtedly harmed many, the three plaintiffs—Doe, Crothers and Muldoon—file this lawsuit to seek justice for themselves and to hopefully cease this practice towards others in the future.”
In Muldoon’s case, a rape accusation and ensuing investigation from 2020 boiled over in the rumor mill to the point the mayor felt obligated to address it during a town council meeting on October 5, 2020, only to be shut down by vice mayor Hailey Morton Levinson who said it was inappropriate to defend himself at a public meeting.
Muldoon claims in the lawsuit that the release of an investigative report into his alleged rape of a local woman led to “intense public backlash” that ultimately cost him reelection to the town council.
Crothers faced charges including one of sexual battery on allegations he kissed a teenage girl attending a party at his house and touched her inappropriately. Doe was charged as an adult with two counts of first-degree sexual assault involving instances of consensual sex that occurred months before he turned 18, the lawsuit stated.
Named as defendants in the case are Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr, Teton County Prosecuting Attorney Erin Weisman, Brett Bommer, David Hodges, Clayton Platt, Andrew Roundy, Clark Allan, Richard Roes, and the Teton County Board of County Commissioners. The defendants are seeking a jury trial to determine monetary damages.
“Defendants’ wrongdoing here is especially heinous because they are public officials entrusted with the responsibility of protecting and serving the public, not destroying and harming citizens,” the docket stated. “The persistent pattern of misconduct is why plaintiffs are seeking to hold defendants accountable.”
Muldoon alleges, specifically, that a police officer obtained and released the record of a false rape allegation against Muldoon in retaliation for his public comments about law enforcement. During his tenure as mayor, Muldoon was critical law enforcement, and entertained notions of defunding the Jackson Police Department.
The lawsuit also alleges that during Muldoon’s run for a seat on town council in the fall of 2020, records concerning a Department of Criminal Investigation detailing an unfounded rape accusation were leaked to the public.
“The records were ultimately released publicly and the release received considerable media exposure,” the lawsuit said. “Following the illegal disclosure, Muldoon faced intense public backlash, had his reputation tarnished, and ultimately lost the election.”
The presiding judge in the case is Judge Nancy D. Freudenthal.
Pete showing his true colors- he has abused the system in and out of politics for years. He is the face of liberalism and all that’s wrong in Teton County politics. Snorting coke off bellies instead of being a great citizen- Karma a Petey. Justice is slow but sure. You’ve always be a great example that to our youth of all that’s wrong in the world.