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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)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
Maryland gubernatorial candidate Ed Hale to announce pick for lieutenant governor
Maryland communities concerned after local police mistaken for ICE agents
Minnesota day cares accused of fraud in viral vidoe sue state
Rashee Rice sued in Dallas over domestic violence accusations
Observers say ICE still active in Twin Cities suburbs
DTE Energy ordered to pay $100M For Clean Air Act violation at facility
West Virginia sues Apple, saying it doesn't do enough to report child porn
Trial over alleged attack on officers at North Texas ICE facility to start Monday