McKee Sued in Federal Court by Former Staffer
GoLocalProv News Team
McKee Sued in Federal Court by Former Staffer
Sanchez is a member of the Providence City Council; he was first elected in 2022.
In the 15-page lawsuit filed this week in U.S. District Court in Rhode Island, Sanchez — who is being represented by the Washington, DC firm Schaerr Jaffe LLP and locally by James Ruggieri — said his role in the McKee office had been a “tech support” one and that he was “not a spokesperson for the Governor and was not involved in policy conversation.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe lawsuit maintains that Sanchez was fired — illegally — for publicly expressing views that differed from McKee's.
“Terminating Sanchez for expressing a view on a matter of public concern that differs from the views of Governor McKee fails to qualify as compelling state interest,” claims his attorneys, citing case law.
Allegations Outline in Suit
According to the lawsuit, Sanchez attended a rally “to express concerns for Palestinian citizens” on October 21, 2023 — two weeks after the deadly October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.
The lawsuit says Sanchez “posted a short video on his X account showing the protestors marching and with comment praising the large turnout.”
Sanchez maintains he “did not engage in or advocate for any violence, intimidation, harassment, or anything other than peaceful marching," according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit points out that McKee’s statement following the October 7, 2023 attacks was as follows.
“Let me be very clear — I unequivocally condemn the despicable acts of war and terror perpetrated by Hamas against the people of Israel,” said McKee on October 23, 2023.
According to the lawsuit, on that same day, Sanchez was told by McKee’s Legislative Director that it was “inappropriate for Sanchez to publicly state an opinon seemingly at odds with the Governor’s position.”
The lawsuit says that Sanchez was told not to respond to any press inquiries, which he said he then did not, as requested.
The lawsuit goes on to state that Sanchez due to be transferred to the Department of Labor and Training prior to the rally and subsequent press — but instead, he was fired.
Alleged Termination
According to the lawsuit, on the afternoon of October 27, 2023, Sanchez was summonsed to meet with McKee Chief of Staff Tony Afonso and Special Assistant Joe Almond, and was “offered the options of being terminated or resigning.”
The lawsuit states that Sanchez said he asked to speak with Human Resources but that his request was denied.
“After Afonso and Almond conferred, they offered Sanchez a week of severance if he would sign a resignation letter. After reiterating his request to speak with HR first, Sanchez was terminated on the spot, and escorted out by a Capitol Police officer,” according to the suit.
Both Afonso and Almond are named as defendants in the suit, both in their official — and individual — capacities; McKee is being sued in his official capacity only.
The lawsuit is suing on one count: “unlawful termination in violation of rights of free speech” under 42 U.S Code 1983.