United States First Circuit

In a suit brought by a former police officer against the City of Quincy and individual police officers, claiming defendants retaliated against him for protected speech in violation of his First Amendment rights, the District Court's grant of summary judgment to defendants is affirmed where plaintiff could not establish a claim under the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act (MCRA) against defendants because they did not interfere with his exercise or enjoyment of rights secured by the Constitution or the laws of the United States or the Commonwealth; and 2) plaintiff could not maintain a defamation claim against the Police Chief for statements that appeared in the 2012 newspaper articles because none of the quotes from the Police Chief are capable of defamatory interpretations.

Appellate Information

• Published 2016/08/31

Judges

• THOMPSON

Court

• United States First Circuit

Counsel