WAILUKU, Maui — Maui County is settling a federal lawsuit alleging unconstitutional interference with a Facebook page.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii says settlement terms include the county paying $25,000 in attorneys’ fees and damages and re-writing its anti-harassment policy.
Part-time county employee Neldon Mamuad filed a lawsuit in March claiming he was pressured to stop working on a Facebook page devoted to posts about traffic and other Maui news. Mamuad claims the county violated his free speech rights by trying to censor the “MAUIWatch” page, which he worked on during his free time.
According to court records, the settlement was reached Thursday.
ACLU attorney Daniel Gluck says the settlement reaffirms government employees and volunteers can express themselves without fear of retaliation.
The county didn’t immediately comment on the settlement.