An FBI employee has filed a First Amendment civil lawsuit alleging he was fired for displaying an LGBTQ pride flag near his desk. The flag r
David Badash at NCRM:
David Maltinsky, a 16-year FBI veteran who was just weeks away from being promoted to agent status, claimed his firing was unlawful and sent a āripple of fearā through LGBTQ employees at the FBI. āI have determined that you exercised poor judgment with an inappropriate display of political signage in your work area during your previous assignment at the Los Angeles Field Office,ā the letter reads, according to aĀ CBS NewsĀ exclusive report. āPursuant to Article II of the United States Constitution and the laws of the United States, your employment with the Federal Bureau of Investigation is hereby terminated.ā
Maltinsky is suing to have his job restored. In the lawsuit, Maltinsky alleges that a complaint was filed against him on President Donald Trumpās first day in office this year. [...] āThe ripple effect of fear has been felt. Many gay colleagues have removed Pride flags from their desks, allies have removed Pride flags from their desk,ā he added.
The politically-motivated firing of 16-year FBI employee (who was weeks away from being promoted to agent) David Maltinsky over his display of an LGBTQ+ Pride Flag at his desk is a disgraceful attack on 1st Amendment expression.
