PROVIDENCE ― A state Department of Transportation employee has filed a whistleblower lawsuit, claiming he was retaliated against for speaking out about an unusual pension settlement and about the way the department treats employees.

Robert J. Tassoni, a highway maintenance field operations superintendent, filed the lawsuit in state Superior Court on Dec. 16, accusing Department of Transportation chief of staff John J. Igliozzi and supervisors Norman Marzano and Glenn Cabral of violating his First Amendment rights.

The complaint claims the department violated Tassoni’s rights under the Rhode Island Whistleblowers’ Protection Act and the US Constitution. “The First Amendment shields a public employee, including (Tassoni), who speaks as a citizen on a matter of public concern,” the suit states.

DOT spokesman Charles St. Martin said the department does not comment on pending litigation and he referred requests for comment to Attorney General Peter F. Neronha’s office, which is representing the state in the litigation. Attorney general’s spokesman Timothy Rondeau said the department had no immediate comment.

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The complaint claims Tassoni was punished in part because he spoke out about the failure of the Department of Transportation to make proper contributions to the retirement fund set up by the Laborers International Union of North...

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