Delaware prison instructor says he was fired for talking about riot
A former prison culinary instructor is suing Delaware education officials in federal court, claiming he was wrongfully fired for speaking about a deadly prison riot.
Four people are charged with murder, kidnapping and other crimes in the February 2017 riot at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center. (WHYY)
A former prison culinary instructor is suing Delaware education officials in federal court, claiming he was wrongfully fired for speaking about a deadly prison riot and hostage taking.
In a complaint Monday, Anthony Stella claims state officials violated his free speech rights and breached his employment contract by terminating him without just cause.
Stella was working at Delaware’s maximum-security prison when inmates seized a building on Feb. 1, killing a guard and taking three other staffers hostage.
Stella says he spoke to a reporter that day about the incident as “a private citizen on a matter of public interest.” He also posted his thoughts on Facebook but deleted them after being contacted by a supervisor.
Stella was later informed that he was being terminated for misconduct and neglect of duty.
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