The Lead Off
- Ball State University has agreed to pay $225,000 to settle a First Amendment lawsuit filed by a former employee.
- The case involved a termination following a private social media post that later circulated publicly.
- The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana says the settlement resolves the dispute over alleged retaliation.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. (WOWO) Ball State University will pay $225,000 to a former employee as part of a settlement reached in a First Amendment lawsuit involving a termination tied to a private social media post.
CBS-4 reports that the settlement was reached after legal action was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana on behalf of former university employee Suzanne Swierc.
Lawsuit centered on termination after social media post
According to court filings and statements from the ACLU of Indiana, Swierc, who previously served as director of health promotion and advocacy at Ball State University, was terminated after posting a comment on Facebook.
The post, made in a private capacity, referenced the death of Charlie Kirk and was later captured in a screenshot that circulated publicly.
University officials later terminated Swierc’s employment, citing the content of the post as the reason for dismissal, according to legal filings referenced in the case.
ACLU argues protected speech violated
The ACLU of Indiana argued that the termination violated First Amendment protections, stating that Swierc was acting as a private citizen on a matter of public concern.
Stevie Pactor, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Indiana, said the organization believes the settlement reinforces constitutional protections.
“Suzanne was speaking as a private citizen on a matter of public concern when Ball State fired her over a private social media post,” Pactor said.
“The First Amendment does not allow government institutions to retaliate in those circumstances, and this settlement reflects that.”
Settlement agreement reached
Under the terms of the agreement, Swierc will receive $225,000 following the resolution of the lawsuit.
The ACLU of Indiana said in a release that the settlement was finalized late last week.
The university has not released additional public statements regarding the settlement terms.
The Takeaway
Settlement resolves First Amendment dispute
Ball State University agreed to pay $225,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a former employee who alleged she was improperly terminated over protected speech.
Case involved private social media post
The dispute stemmed from a Facebook post made in a private capacity that later circulated publicly and was cited in the employee’s termination.
ACLU says case reinforces free speech protections
The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana said the outcome affirms that government institutions cannot retaliate against employees for protected speech made as private citizens.
