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An experienced Federal Bureau of Investigation operative has filed a legal case stating he was let go for displaying a rainbow symbol at his office space.

According to David Maltinsky, who worked with the bureau since 2009, the termination recently was “improper and biased”.

Court Proceedings Asserts Free Speech Violations

The lawsuit states that the agency infringed upon the plaintiff’s First Amendment freedoms and took retaliatory steps toward him for expressing constitutionally covered communication.

Maltinsky is requesting a legal ruling to restore his position within the agency.

Details in the Complaint

The 18-page filing, filed in a Washington court in the nation’s capital, claims that the employee was dismissed from his training recently for before showing the flag at his workstation.

Per the document, the Pride flag was given to the plaintiff in recognition of his contributions to support the agency’s inclusion programs.

Since childhood, my goal was to serve the United States and protect the nation’s safety together with the skilled and devoted men and women of the FBI,” said Maltinsky.

He added, I showed that Pride flag – that previously was displayed at a federal building – not to make a political point, but as a representation of inclusion, unity and equal service.

“These are the values that once made the bureau effective. Today it has become where individuals such as myself are targeted. I think I was fired not on account of my person, but rather because of what I represent: a homosexual man,” he said.

Abrupt Firing Before Graduation

Earlier this year, the plaintiff was accepted into the FBI special agent course at the FBI facility, before what he described as “abrupt dismissal only weeks prior to graduation”.

The complaint further alleges that eventually after the presidential inauguration, another employee raised a complaint to his manager regarding the exhibition of the Pride flag.

As a precaution, Maltinsky requested that the Chief Division Counsel at the L.A. office assess whether the display of the Progress Pride flag was allowed,” the filing said.

It added, The advisor told the plaintiff that exhibiting of the banner was not against any bureau guidelines.”

Informing of Dismissal

Nevertheless, in early October, the plaintiff received notice of his termination.

In a letter referenced in the filing, bureau chief the official stated, I have concluded that you used poor judgment with the presence of political signage in your office during your previous assignment in Los Angeles.

Under the Constitution of the United States Constitution, and statutes of the nation, your employment with the FBI is hereby terminated.”

Legal Statement

In comments issued this week, his attorney his counsel remarked, “This administration’s illegal termination is a component of a larger campaign to rid public offices of employees that possess alternative perspectives, or represent minority populations, or who dare speak out against discrimination.

“David’s fight is not only for him, but involves protecting the liberties and protections of all federal employees.”

Bureau Reaction

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

Related Proceedings

Maltinsky’s lawsuit follows a separate case filed in September by previous high-level bureau employees who alleged they were improperly dismissed.

They alleged that the official claimed he was ordered by the White House to fire any official involved in an investigation into Trump.

At the same time, the bureau dismissed a long-serving employee recently subsequent to the official allegedly grew upset by reports that the agency head had taken a federal plane to go to a sports event where his girlfriend performed the anthem.

Steven Palmer, an agency staffer since 1998, was fired from leading the agency’s response team, that handles major security threats and the agency’s jet fleet.