A long-serving Federal Bureau of Investigation intelligence specialist has filed a legal case stating his dismissed on account of displaying a Pride flag in his desk area.
Based on David Maltinsky, who worked with the bureau over a decade and a half, his firing earlier this year is being described as “illegal and discriminatory”.
Legal Case Alleges First Amendment Violations
The complaint states that the agency infringed upon the plaintiff’s First Amendment freedoms and took punitive steps in his case due to engaging in protected speech.
Maltinsky is asking for a court order to reinstate his job within the agency.
Information from the Lawsuit
The 18-page filing, submitted in the US district court in the nation’s capital, states that the plaintiff was fired from his training in October over previously showing the banner in his workspace.
Per the document, the Pride flag was presented to Maltinsky to honor his work to promote the bureau’s inclusion programs.
“From a young age, my goal is serve the United States and protect the nation’s safety alongside the skilled and devoted individuals in the bureau,” said the former employee.
He continued, “I displayed that Pride flag – that previously was displayed at a federal building – not to make a political point, but as a symbol of acceptance, solidarity and impartial service.
“These are the values that helped build the FBI strong. Today it has become where employees like me are targeted. I believe I was dismissed not because of my person, but due to my being: an openly gay individual,” he concluded.
Abrupt Termination Prior to Finish
Earlier this year, Maltinsky was enrolled in the federal agent course at Quantico, Virginia, up until what he called “unexpected firing just three weeks before completion”.
The lawsuit also claims that eventually subsequent to Donald Trump’s inauguration, a co-worker raised a complaint to his manager regarding the display of the rainbow banner.
“Out of an abundance of caution, Maltinsky sought that the Chief Division Counsel at the L.A. office examine whether or not the display of the Progress Pride flag was permissible,” the complaint noted.
It added, The advisor told the plaintiff that exhibiting of the flag complied with any bureau guidelines.”
Informing of Dismissal
Nevertheless, on 1 October, the employee received notice of his dismissal.
In a letter referenced in the complaint, bureau chief the director stated, I decided that you demonstrated bad decision-making by exhibiting of political signage at your workstation while previously assigned in Los Angeles.
Under federal law of the United States Constitution, and the laws of the U.S., your employment with the FBI is concluded.”
Legal Comment
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Maltinsky’s lawyer the attorney said, “This administration’s illegal termination is part of an extensive initiative to remove federal agencies of staff who may have different viewpoints, or are from minority populations, or individuals that speak out against discrimination.
His case is not just about him, but involves protecting the rights and freedoms of all public servants.”
Agency Reaction
The FBI did not provide a statement on the lawsuit.
Related Legal Cases
Maltinsky’s lawsuit comes after a separate case lodged recently by previous top agency personnel who said they were improperly dismissed.
They stated that the official stated he had been ordered by the White House to terminate any agent participating in a probe regarding the former president.
At the same time, the FBI dismissed a nearly three-decade veteran earlier this month subsequent to the director was said to be angered due to accounts that the FBI director had taken a government jet to go to a match during which his partner sang the anthem.
The official, a bureau veteran for many years, was removed as head of the agency’s response team, which manages major security threats and the agency’s jet fleet.
