FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Employee Files Lawsuit against Susquehanna County for Violating her Right to Free Speech
Lisa, an employee with an impeccable work history, was pulled into her supervisor’s office for a meeting. Her supervisor allegedly berated Lisa in a hostile and aggressive manner. When she felt threatened and tried to escape his office, he blocked the exit and continued with his rude language.
Shaken by the interaction, Lisa became concerned that her supervisor, a public employee, might have a history of inappropriate behavior. At home, Lisa conducted a background check on her supervisor. She used her own computer, money, and time to conclude the background check.
At work, Lisa mentioned that she’d done a background check on the supervisor to a coworker. Soon after, Susquehanna County placed Lisa on paid administration leave due to an investigation on an alleged misconduct. The “misconduct” was her background check on the supervisor. When a detective interviewed Lisa, she explained her motivation for conducting the background check and that she’d used her own resources to do it. Still, Lisa was fired. Her employer allegedly justified her termination because Lisa had conducted the background check and then discussed it with a coworker. This is unlawful under the U.S. Constitution.
Lisa had every right to conduct a background check on her supervisor and tell her coworkers that she had done so. The United States of America promises free speech to everyone under the First Amendment. Like every other American, Lisa has the responsibility and privilege of exercising her right to free speech. Susquehanna County’s attempt to restrict this right is unlawful and un-American, but they deny these claims. KM&A fights against this behavior.
Full text of this complaint, as filed with the District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, is available at docket no: 3:17-cv-01182-ARC
Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC is an employment law firm with principal offices in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, serving all counties in Pennsylvania, focusing on employment law, business law, litigation, and civil issues. KM&A clients include employees, small businesses, parties in litigation, and people with a variety of legal issues.
For more information about this case, contact Attorney Colin Saltry at 215-475-3544 or at cs@lawkm.com.
NOTICE: All information contained in this statement comes from the Complaint which has been filed as a public record with the court. As dedicated civil rights attorneys, we strongly believe in the public value of telling our clients’ stories: violators can be held accountable, and other silent victims can feel empowered to stand up for their legal rights. Although we make every attempt to verify our clients’ claims, note that the defendant is expected to oppose our client’s position, and the court has not ruled one way or the other as of the date of this statement.
