David Cuillier, director of the Brechner Freedom of Information Project, is quoted in “Lombardi Puts A Gag on City Employees” published in the Lockport (New York) Union-Sun & Journal on April 25.

The story focuses on Lockport mayor John Lombardi III’s written directive to all city employees to refrain from contact with the press. Cuillier suggested Lombardi’s order puts Lockport city taxpayers at risk.

“Mayor Lombardi has not done his legal research and is putting the city at risk of paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars in wasted settlement and legal fees,” he said.

Cuillier referenced the newly announced settlement of a federal First Amendment lawsuit in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where a jail superintendent’s gag order on employees was found to have violated their rights. As part of the settlement, Cuillier said, the county agreed to adopt new policies recognizing the employees’ right to speak up about injustice and abuse in the jail.

Cuillier denounced Lombardi’s gag order on city employees, “This is unconstitutional and against everything America stands for. If Lombardi wants to have his head on a pike, he should continue this. If not, he should think of changing his policies.”

Posted: May 1, 2024
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner FOI Project, David Cuillier, Gag orders