LONDON  –  The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky filed a federal lawsuit today on behalf of a Rockcastle County man whose contract as a city worker was not renewed after he published a letter-to-the-editor critical of Livingston’s failure to hire a full-time police officer.

Samuel Stallsworth had been a water treatment plant operator for the City of Livingston for about three years.  Initially, he worked as an employee and then in March of 2003, he operated the plant under a six-month renewable contract that ran through September 3, 2004.  About a week before the September 3 renewal date, Mr. Stallsworth’s letter was published in the Mount Vernon Signal.

During an August 31, 2004 City Council meeting, both Mr. Stallsworth’s letter and his contract were discussed.  City officials offered him a two-week extension of his contract while they searched for a replacement.  Believing that the contract was not renewed for the full six months because of his letter-to-the-editor, Mr. Stallsworth refused to accept the two-week extension.

“Government employees who do not hold confidential or policy-making positions have a right to express their opinions without fear of retaliation so long as their opinion is on a matter of public concern and does not undermine or interfere with the employee’s work environment,” said Lili Lutgens, ACLU of Kentucky Staff Attorney.  “Clearly, Mr. Stallsworth’s letter did nothing to undermine or interfere with his work at the water treatment plant.”

In fact, Lutgens said, the opinions expressed in the letter had nothing to do with the treatment plant, but were an expression of his opinion about a matter of concern to the citizens of the City of Livingston.

The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District.  In addition to Lutgens, Mr. Stallsworth is represented by ACLU of Kentucky General Counsel David Friedman and Cooperating Attorney Michael Coblenz.