Fired Hawaii Deputy Prosecutor Advances First Amendment Lawsuit

Kauai County, Haw., must face a former deputy prosecutor’s claim that his termination after reporting to state authorities that a judicial nominee was under investigation for witness tampering violated his free-speech rights.

Robert Christensen adequately pleaded his First Amendment retaliation claim against the county because his speech addressed a matter of public concern, he spoke as a private citizen rather than as a government employee, and his speech was a motivating or substantial factor in his termination, the US District Court for the District of Hawaii said.

According to the suit, the judicial nominee represented the suspect in an assault ...