Betrayal: Season 4, Episode 6 — "Circling the Drain"

Podcast by iHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts
Host: Andrea Gunning
Air Date: June 26, 2025

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode of Betrayal, host Andrea Gunning delves deeper into the unraveling of Karoline Borega’s marriage to Joel, a former Colorado Springs police officer whose repeated deceptions and misconduct left lasting scars on his family and community. The episode chronicles Karoline and her children's struggle to come to terms with the depth of Joel’s betrayals, the institutional failings that allowed him to escape real consequences, and the emotional aftermath for those left behind. With powerful interviews, investigative insights, and personal reflections, "Circling the Drain" explores betrayal on both personal and systemic levels, emphasizing the complexities of healing and the quest for accountability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Nicole’s Struggle and Family Turmoil

• Caroline and Nicole’s Trip ([05:32]):

  • Seeking solace, Karoline and daughter Nicole travel to New Mexico but are confronted by a manipulative, lengthy text from Joel, who expresses remorse and a desire to "be a family" again.
  • Nicole’s pain is palpable as she wrestles with wounds left by her father's actions and ambiguous gestures.
    • Quote: "She wants to connect with him, and he doesn't answer." — Caroline ([06:48])
  • Joel sends emotional messages but remains unresponsive when Nicole reaches out, deepening her sense of abandonment.

• Discovery of Incriminating Photos ([08:01]):

  • Joel continues uploading inappropriate photos onto their shared family cloud account—secretly taken images of women at the beach, including explicit zoom-ins, all visible by the family.
    • Quote: "When I pull it up, there is just picture after picture of women on a beach who you can clearly tell they have no idea they're being photographed." — Caroline ([08:10])
  • Karoline acts swiftly to separate her children from further exposure, sacrificing cherished family photos in the process.

• Revelation of Joel’s New Relationship ([11:55]):

  • Karoline notices recurring images of a new woman in Joel’s photo vault; he admits to meeting someone in rehab, exposing the duplicity behind his pleas for reconciliation.
    • Quote: "Whenever he reached out... it was always a way to mask and disguise the fact that he was doing just the opposite of what he was saying." — Caroline ([12:29])

2. Consequences for the Children

• Impact on Nicole ([14:28]):

  • Nicole, once a “daddy’s girl,” remains hopeful for her father's attention, especially during milestones like her high school graduation.
    • Quote: "One of the hardest days was her graduation… her little face, oh, God, it just kills me…" — Caroline ([14:50], [20:10])
  • On graduation day, Nicole finds an envelope at the door, only to discover it’s from a neighbor, not Joel. Her devastation is palpable.

• Communication Breakdown ([20:10]):

  • Nicole sends her father a simple text: “I graduated today.” Joel responds with routine praise, then quickly lashes out at Karoline for not reminding him.

3. Community Fallout and Social Isolation

• Rumors and Community Gossip ([22:03]):

  • As news spreads through the Colorado Springs law enforcement community, Karoline faces humiliation, snickering, and exclusion at her workplace.
    • Quote: "I was humiliated to walk into work knowing that rumors were starting to fly and spread about what he had done." — Caroline ([23:36])

• Managing Disclosure ([24:28]):

  • The family decides to be transparent with each other about new details, preferring difficult truths to being blindsided by gossip.
    • Quote: "The truth hurt, but it was powerful and it was needed. That was the only way to move forward." — Their son ([24:28])

4. Institutional Failings: How Joel Evaded Consequence

• Retirement Instead of Termination ([27:20]):

  • Despite undeniable policy breaches, including sex in a police car, Joel retires with his pension and congratulations, bypassing formal termination.
  • Internal Affairs recommended firing, but by using FMLA leave, Joel extended his time on payroll and exited on his own terms.
    • Quote: "He took FMLA, or family medical leave, and went off to rehab, where his sexual escapades only continued." — Andrea Gunning ([29:15])

• Pattern Within Law Enforcement ([29:02], [33:29]):

  • Retirement in lieu of termination is common practice for Colorado police officers facing disciplinary action, allowing them to retain certifications and pensions.

• Rocky Mountain PBS Investigation ([31:19]):

  • Journalist Carly Rose exposes a broader pattern where officers leave under investigation and are often rehired elsewhere. This systemic loophole enabled repeat misconduct.
    • Quote: "We were like, oh, people can resign rather than face the consequences of an investigation." — Carly Rose ([34:01])

• Union and Legal Perspectives ([39:27], [40:23]):

  • Lawyer Will Aitchison explains why police receive such protections, and concedes that, while they protect against unfounded firings, they also allow misconduct to go inadequately punished.
    • Quote: "That's actually quite common." — Will Aitchison, on retiring instead of facing discipline ([40:23])
    • Quote: "Any police officer reading that transcript would be thoroughly embarrassed ... he should be fired." — Will Aitchison ([41:07])

5. The Whistleblower’s Perspective

• Claudia Aldrich Goes Public ([43:09]):

  • Claudia, who ran the Police Officers Whistleblower Network, breaks anonymity to highlight widespread fear of reporting misconduct and the prevalence of double standards.
    • Quote: "I think that in order for these officers to lose the fear of speaking out, I kind of need to lead by example." — Claudia Aldrich ([43:09])
  • Cops are reluctant to report misconduct due to potential career repercussions, fostering a culture of silence.

• “Everybody Knew” ([44:33]):

  • Multiple sources confirm that Joel’s inappropriate conduct was common knowledge, yet few acted due to his power and connections.
    • Quote: "Joel Kern was one of the golden few. Kern was protected." — 24-year CSPD veteran ([46:37])

• Keeping Records for Self-Protection ([46:55]):

  • Employees confess to printing and holding onto sensitive call reports as insurance against internal retribution—emphasizing the lack of trust within the department.

6. Broader Systemic Implications

• Culture of Protecting "Golden" Officers ([48:56]):
  • Structural issues in discipline and accountability leave departments vulnerable to corruption and public distrust.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "She wants to connect with him, and he doesn't answer." — Caroline ([06:48])

• "When I pull it up, there is just picture after picture of women on a beach who you can clearly tell they have no idea they're being photographed." — Caroline ([08:10])

• "The truth hurt, but it was powerful and it was needed. That was the only way to move forward." — Their son ([24:28])

• "He took FMLA, or family medical leave, and went off to rehab, where his sexual escapades only continued." — Andrea Gunning ([29:15])

• "We were like, oh, people can resign rather than face the consequences of an investigation." — Carly Rose ([34:01])

• "That's actually quite common." — Will Aitchison, on law enforcement retirements in place of terminations ([40:23])

• "I think that in order for these officers to lose the fear of speaking out, I kind of need to lead by example." — Claudia Aldrich ([43:09])

• "Joel Kern was one of the golden few. Kern was protected." — 24-year CSPD veteran ([46:37])

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:47: Introduction and context from Andrea Gunning
• 05:32: Caroline and Nicole’s road trip, text from Joel
• 08:01: Discovery of Joel’s secret beach photographs
• 11:55: Karoline uncovers Joel’s new relationship
• 14:28: Nicole’s struggle with her relationship with Joel, graduation fallout
• 22:03: Friends and community react, the spread of rumors
• 24:28: The family’s choice to be open about Joel’s betrayals
• 27:20: Joel retires instead of being terminated
• 31:19: Journalist Carly Rose discusses law enforcement disciplinary loopholes
• 39:27: Union attorney Will Aitchison’s defense and analysis of disciplinary procedures
• 43:09: Whistleblower Claudia Aldrich goes public
• 46:37: Law enforcement sources describe Joel as protected, culture of silence and favoritism

Tone & Style

The episode blends investigative journalism with raw, personal storytelling. Andrea Gunning’s narration is empathetic and anchored in pursuit of truth. Interviewees, primarily Karoline and her children, speak with grief, confusion, and growing resolve. The mood is one of sorrow, frustration, and a search for closure, punctuated by hope for accountability and healing.

Conclusion

"Circling the Drain" powerfully exposes the ongoing emotional, social, and institutional repercussions of betrayal within a family and a police department. Through a meticulous exploration of Karoline’s family’s pain and the systemic loopholes exploited by abusers, the episode urges listeners to consider not just individual acts of betrayal but the larger frameworks that enable them to persist.