FBI Director Must File Statement on Fired Homosexual
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SAN FRANCISCO — A federal magistrate has ordered FBI Director William Sessions to file a sworn statement about his knowledge of the firing of a 20-year veteran San Diego FBI agent who is suing the agency.
U.S. Magistrate Wayne Brazil on Wednesday put off indefinitely a Nov. 2 hearing on government efforts to dismiss the discrimination lawsuit to wait for Sessions response and to the documents.
Frank Buttino, 45, filed a lawsuit in June challenging the loss of his security clearance claiming it was discriminatory based on disclosures that he is homosexual.
Buttino was later fired by the agency.
The lawsuit asks the court to restore his security clearance and prohibit anti-homosexual discrimination.
Tracy Merritt, Justice Department attorney, said Sessions had no personal role in the decision to dismiss Buttino.
Buttino’s attorney Richard Gayer had asked to question Sessions and other top FBI officials in depositions.
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