Opinion ID: 2777571
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Political Projects

Text: Wallace contends that Fakhouri, Denha, and Downey pressured him to work on Ficano’s campaign materials and other overtly political assignments during County hours, and became angry when he refused. Wallace particularly alleges that Downey expected him to revise materials for Ficano’s 2010 election campaign during the work day, but that Wallace told Downey that he felt more comfortable completing such projects on his own time, given the rules -3- Case No. 13-2704 Wallace v. Wayne County, et al. governing appointees’ political activities. According to Wallace, Downey responded, “This is a safe environment here, you can do it here,” and, “Really? Do you have to go home to do that?” (R. 146-4, Wallace Dep. at 31.) And during his deposition, Wallace referred generally to “arguments” with Fakhouri and Denha concerning whether he could design materials for the Ficano Committee and Ficano PAC during County hours, but provided no specific examples. Wallace and Downey also disagreed about the propriety of including “Paid by the Ficano PAC” disclaimers on political advertisements they designed during County hours. Downey allegedly asked Wallace to include a “Paid by the Ficano PAC” disclaimer on an advertisement that urged the state to cede control of Wayne County’s budget to the County Executive. Wallace refused on the grounds that County taxpayers paid their salaries and that they had completed the advertisement during County time. Wallace maintains that, on a different occasion, Downey directed him to include Ficano’s campaign logo on a County-funded advertisement for the Grosse Pointe Little League. Wallace refused.