Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Emma Velazquez Rodriguez; Ricardo Rios v. Municipality of San Juan; Jorge Santini, Mayor of San Juan, In His

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
Before Torruella, Leval, *fn1 and Thompson, Circuit Judges.

PRELUDE

As Ricardo Rios tells it, his professional life as a purchasing officer for the municipality of San Juan became a nightmare when Jorge Santini became San Juan’s mayor in 2001. Rios is an ardent supporter of the Popular Democratic Party (PDP). Santini belongs to a rival political party, the New Progressive Party (NPP). So does Zenaida Diaz, Rios’s one-time supervisor. Santini, Diaz, and other NPP operatives there pursued a purely political vendetta against him, Rios says, doing things like diminishing his responsibilities, paying him less than similarly situated colleagues, taunting him about his colon cancer, and menacing him with strange comments and gestures – e.g., during a May 2006 political rally Santini screamed at Rios, “You are alone and I am going to cut your head off,” and then ran a finger across his throat, which led Rios to file a complaint with the police. Building to a crescendo, Rios contends that NPP-clique members falsely accused him of disciplinary infractions as a trumped-up excuse to fire him in July 2006 for his political leanings and for his speaking out on matters of public concern (e.g., his telling others about Santini’s sub-par job performance and the frightening encounter at the May 2006 rally) – making sure, of course, to rig the pre-termination hearing to reach a predetermined conclusion.*fn2

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
General Counsel Conference Southwest 2024
September 18, 2024 - September 19, 2024
Dallas, TX

Join General Counsel and Senior Legal Leaders at the Premier Forum Designed For and by General Counsel from Fortune 1000 Companies


Learn More
Texas Legal Awards 2024
October 15, 2024
Dallas, TX

The Texas Lawyer honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in Texas.


Learn More
General Counsel Conference Midwest: SuperConference 2025
April 08, 2025 - April 09, 2025
Chicago, IL

Join General Counsel and Senior Legal Leaders at the Premier Forum Designed For and by General Counsel from Fortune 1000 Companies


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Health Law Associate CT

Health Law Associate CT Shipman is seeking an associate to join our national longstanding health law practice. Candidates must have t...


Apply Now ›
FINANCE & REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY - Connecticut Preferred; Remote will be considered

Shipman & Goodwin LLP is seeking a attorney to expand our national commercial real estate lending practice. Candidates should have at l...


Apply Now ›
Associate Attorney (Immigration Law)

Associate Attorney (Immigration Law) Position: Associate Attorney (Immigration Law) Location: Central NJ (Remote/Hybrid) Salary: $...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
Lawyers of Distinction
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
SMGQ Law
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements