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An experienced FBI intelligence specialist has initiated a lawsuit stating he was dismissed on account of exhibiting an LGBTQ+ banner at his workstation.

According to the former employee, that worked in the agency since 2009, his dismissal earlier this year was “improper and biased”.

Legal Proceedings Claims First Amendment Breaches

The lawsuit argues that the agency infringed upon Maltinsky’s free speech rights and engaged in disciplinary measures against him for engaging in constitutionally covered communication.

The plaintiff is asking for a judicial directive to return his position with the FBI.

Information from the Lawsuit

The 18-page lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., alleges that Maltinsky was fired from his training recently for previously showing the banner in his workspace.

As stated in the document, the LGBTQ+ banner was given to the employee to honor his work to advance the bureau’s diversity initiatives.

Since childhood, all I have wanted to do was to serve the nation and safeguard the nation’s safety alongside the skilled and devoted individuals at the agency,” stated the plaintiff.

He further stated, I exhibited that Pride flag – which once flew in front of the Wilshire federal building – not to make a political point, but rather as an emblem of inclusion, unity and equal service.

These ideals that previously strengthened the FBI strong. Today it has become where individuals such as myself are singled out. I am convinced I was fired not due to who I am, but due to my being: a homosexual man,” he concluded.

Sudden Termination Prior to Finish

Recently, Maltinsky gained admission to the FBI special agent course at Quantico, Virginia, before what he described as “sudden termination shortly before completion”.

The filing additionally states that later following Donald Trump’s inauguration, another employee raised an issue to Maltinsky’s direct supervisor concerning the display of the LGBTQ+ symbol.

“Out of an abundance of caution, the employee asked that the legal advisor for the Los Angeles field office examine whether or not the exhibition of the LGBTQ+ banner was acceptable,” the complaint stated.

The document continued, The advisor told Maltinsky that the display of the symbol did not violate any bureau guidelines.”

Informing of Dismissal

However, on 1 October, the employee was notified of his termination.

In correspondence mentioned in the filing, bureau chief the director stated, I decided that you used bad decision-making with the presence of a partisan emblem in your work area during your previous assignment at the Los Angeles Field Office.

“Pursuant to Article II of the Constitution, and the laws of the nation, your employment with the Federal Bureau of Investigation is now ended.”

Lawyer Remarks

In a statement provided this week, his legal representative the attorney stated, The current leadership’s illegal termination is a component of a broader effort to purge government departments of workers who may have different viewpoints, or represent underrepresented communities, or individuals that challenge discrimination.

His case goes beyond his situation, but about securing the liberties and protections of every government worker.”

Department Reply

The FBI declined to comment regarding the case.

Similar Lawsuits

Maltinsky’s lawsuit is subsequent to an additional filing lodged recently by three former senior FBI officials that claimed they’d been unlawfully fired.

They alleged that the official claimed he was ordered by the White House to fire any agent involved in an inquiry concerning Donald Trump.

At the same time, the FBI fired an experienced official earlier this month following the director reportedly became furious due to accounts that the bureau chief had taken a government jet to go to a match at which his companion sang the Star-Spangled Banner.

Steven Palmer, a bureau veteran since 1998, was dismissed from leading the agency’s response team, which manages significant risks and FBI planes.