An Ohio sheriff’s deputy is suing after he claims his free speech rights were violated when he was suspended without pay over a Facebook post.
According to News Net 5, Trumbull County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Geer is seeking thirty days’ worth of back pay for his suspension, as well as unspecified financial damages to cover humiliation, reduction in earning power and mental anguish.
The lawsuit was filed last Friday and involves a suspension over a Facebook post written in the voice of Freddie Gray, who died in Baltimore police custody last year.
The Vindicator reports that the Facebook post was brought to the attention of the TCSO by a local councilmember, which resulted in the demand that Geer be terminated immediately.
An excerpt of the post read as follows:
“Hi, I’m Freddie Grey [sic] and I’m a great guy! It doesn’t matter how many of your friends, family, adults, young and old, and yes teenagers and young children that I have helped getting them hooked on the drugs that I sold them. It doesn’t matter how many have overdosed and died. It doesn’t matter if I have robbed, stolen or even assaulted you, a friend, or even a family member.”
Ultimately, Geer suffered a sentence of 30-working days unpaid suspension and mandatory sensitivity training.
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