Gattis v. Brice

In this case, an employee of the Palm Beach County Fire Department, appellant Gary Gattis, claims that he was demoted within the department because he exercised his First Amendment right of free speech. Gattis expressed his views on two issues: one concerned the departments proposed alterations to the countys fire code; the other concerned the departments equipment procurement policies. Gattis has sued the county, the county administrator, and in the order of descending supervisory authority in the department, Fire Administrator Herman Brice and Deputy Chiefs Michael Iacona and Larry Koester. Proceeding under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (1994), Gattis seeks an injunction restoring him to his former position, and money damages against the county and each individual defendant in the defendants official capacity. Gattis also seeks damages against Brice, Iacona, and Koester in their individual capacities.