BALTIMORE (AP) — A Maryland Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman is suing the agency, saying she was demoted for a profane Facebook comment about gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous.
News outlets report the complaint filed Tuesday in federal court says Candy Thomson's First Amendment rights were violated. But DNR's communications director, Stephen Schatz, says Thomson "has not been declassified, demoted or suspended."
He says Thomson had submitted her resignation in July, scheduled to take effect in November.
Thomson's Sept. 17 comment on Daily Record reporter Bryan Sears' post addressed Jealous' initial veto of a reporter from a debate panel.
Thomson is a former reporter, who spent 25 years with The Baltimore Sun.
She removed the comment when instructed, but says her media duties were taken away.
She's asking the court for reinstatement, court costs and attorneys' fees.
(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Follow @WJZ on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook
State Worker Sues, Says She Was Demoted For Facebook Comment
/ CBS Baltimore
BALTIMORE (AP) — A Maryland Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman is suing the agency, saying she was demoted for a profane Facebook comment about gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous.
News outlets report the complaint filed Tuesday in federal court says Candy Thomson's First Amendment rights were violated. But DNR's communications director, Stephen Schatz, says Thomson "has not been declassified, demoted or suspended."
He says Thomson had submitted her resignation in July, scheduled to take effect in November.
Thomson's Sept. 17 comment on Daily Record reporter Bryan Sears' post addressed Jealous' initial veto of a reporter from a debate panel.
Thomson is a former reporter, who spent 25 years with The Baltimore Sun.
She removed the comment when instructed, but says her media duties were taken away.
She's asking the court for reinstatement, court costs and attorneys' fees.
(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Follow @WJZ on Twitter and like WJZ-TV | CBS Baltimore on Facebook
In:
Featured Local Savings
CBS News Baltimore
Baltimore daycare worker charged with sexually exploiting a child
Baltimore County's top prosecutor candidates face off over public safety in first debate
Allegheny County man convicted of forging signatures on 2022 congressional petitions
Georgia Republicans renew scrutiny of Stacey Abram's New Georgia Project as questions grow over election oversight
Keisha Lance Bottoms outlines health care, education priorities after decisive Georgia primary victory
Michigan lawmakers call for resignation of state's corrections director
Pat Catena reportedly stepping down as Allegheny County Council President
Civil rights groups accuse U-M of retaliation against pro-Palestinian protester