I don’t think Joe is the type to sue. While these people need to be taking to the cleaners (we all will if 0 wins). Joe works hard for his money.
I know Joe works hard.
Someone needs to hold these folks that abuse their positions accountable.
In the article in the Toledo Blade he said that he’d contacted a lawyer. His reasoning is that no citizen should go through what he did just for asking a question.
I’m not the suing type, but this cannot be left unpunished. The next clerk should have to think twice before pulling this kind of illegal stunt. I would sue, seek federal civil rights violation investigations, anything I could to punish this.
Joe may find his work environment has changed to the point that he would be a fool not to ride the tiger and see where it leads. He certainly has every right to sue government employees who abuse their power to functionally repress his ability to express himself.
Hopefully he is getting some good advice.
In this case, Joe truly has a case of his rights being violated. Am I correct?
The Privacy Act of 1974
http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/privstat.htm
If he isn’t the type to sue, then he needs to become that type. Too many “reasonable” people try to handle things in a less litigious manner and are then taken advantage of. Those with no principles subvert the legal system and make it “work for them.” Those who have principles need to learn how to do the same in order to fight back. Maybe that will force a change in the legal system. (I can hope.)