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A long-serving Federal Bureau of Investigation intelligence specialist has initiated legal action stating he was terminated for displaying an LGBTQ+ banner in his workstation.

As per David Maltinsky, who was employed in the agency over a decade and a half, the dismissal recently was “improper and biased”.

Court Case Claims First Amendment Breaches

The lawsuit argues that the bureau infringed upon the employee’s First Amendment protections and took disciplinary action in his case for expressing protected communication.

The former specialist is asking for a legal ruling to return his position within the agency.

Particulars in the Legal Filing

The 18-page complaint, submitted in federal court in the nation’s capital, states that the plaintiff was fired from the Quantico facility recently for before displaying the banner in his workspace.

According to the document, the LGBTQ+ banner was awarded to Maltinsky in recognition of his contributions to support the bureau’s equality efforts.

“From a young age, my only desire is serve the nation and safeguard the nation’s safety beside the skilled and devoted personnel at the agency,” stated the former employee.

He continued, I exhibited that banner – which in 2021 was raised before the Wilshire federal building – not for political reasons, but as a representation of inclusion, unity and equal service.

“These are the values that helped build the FBI strong. Now it is a place where people like me face discrimination. I believe I was terminated not due to who I am, but rather because of what I represent: a proud gay man,” he affirmed.

Abrupt Firing Prior to Completion

In the past months, the plaintiff was enrolled in the bureau’s agent training program at Quantico, Virginia, until his “sudden termination just three weeks before completion”.

The complaint additionally states that eventually subsequent to the 2017 inauguration, an colleague reported an issue to Maltinsky’s direct supervisor concerning the display of the Pride flag.

As a precaution, Maltinsky requested that the legal advisor at the L.A. office review whether or not the presence of the Progress Pride flag was acceptable,” the complaint noted.

The document continued, The legal officer advised the plaintiff that showing of the symbol did not violate the agency’s standards.”

Informing of Dismissal

However, on the first of October, the employee was informed of his termination.

In correspondence cited in the filing, FBI director the official stated, I have concluded that you demonstrated poor judgment with the presence of a partisan emblem at your workstation during your previous assignment at the Los Angeles Field Office.

Under Article II of the U.S. Constitution, and statutes of the U.S., your position with the FBI is now ended.”

Legal Comment

In comments provided on Wednesday, his legal representative Kerrie Riggs said, The government’s wrongful dismissal is a component of an extensive initiative to rid federal agencies of workers with different viewpoints, or are from underrepresented communities, or individuals that oppose discrimination.

His case is not just about him, but involves protecting the entitlements and freedoms of all public servants.”

Agency Reaction

The FBI did not provide a statement about the legal action.

Comparable Lawsuits

Maltinsky’s lawsuit follows another one submitted earlier by previous top agency personnel who said they’d been improperly dismissed.

They claimed that Patel claimed he was directed by the White House to dismiss any employee associated with an investigation concerning Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, the bureau terminated an experienced official in November subsequent to Patel reportedly became furious by reports that the agency head flown on a government jet to go to a match where his girlfriend sang the national anthem.

The veteran, a bureau veteran since 1998, was fired as head of the FBI’s critical incident response group, which manages serious incidents and the bureau’s aircraft.