Boulder Reporting Lab: The City of Boulder is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Darren O’Connor, a civil rights attorney and former member of NAACP Boulder County, who alleges city officials retaliated against him for criticizing and opposing the appointment of Police Chief Steve Redfearn.

In a June 9 motion to dismiss, Luis Toro, a lawyer for the city, argued that O’Connor’s First Amendment claims should be tossed out because the actions described do not amount to unconstitutional retaliation or abuse of power. 

O’Connor’s lawsuit, filed April 29 in U.S. District Court, centers on public statements by City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde and Redfearn, as well as city communications with local prosecutors, the national NAACP and a complaint with the Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel, which oversees law licenses in Colorado. O’Connor alleges these actions were in retaliation for his constitutionally protected speech.

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