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Thomas Corbia, who was removed from the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District Board of Education in April 2021 for his alleged racist Facebook posts, is now suing the district and claiming that his ousting was the result of a "bogus investigation" that was a "pretext to settle personal vendetta," according to the lawsuit.
According to Corbia's complaint, filed in federal court on Monday, Sept. 18, the investigation leading to his removal began in September 2020, when then-superintendent Edward Klizus filed charges against Corbia to the School Board Ethics Committee accusing him of commenting or forwarding two "racist" Facebook posts.
One of these posts read: "I’m selling my white privilege card. It's just over 77 years old and it hasn't done a damn thing for me.
"No inheritance, no free college, no free food, no free housing, etc. I may even be willing to do an even trade for a race card. Those seem way more useful and more widely accepted. Interested? Contact me on my non-obama (sic) cell phone that I have to pay for every month. Serious inquiries only.”
A comment bearing Corbia's name appearing on the post allegedly read: “You are the (expletive) best and whoever doesn’t like that post, well they know what they can do.”
He was also implicated in sharing a Facebook post that read, "Illegal immigrants sent $56 billion in pure cash to their home countries last year alone.
“That’s after their kids enjoyed free education, free lunches, and free medical care paid for by you.”
Following the discovery of the comment, the school board then hired a security service company, T&M Protection Resources, LLC, to direct an investigation into Corbia, ultimately blaming Corbia for his lack of cooperation in the probe.
The board then appointed a hearing officer to prosecute Corbia for misconduct, who recommended removing Corbia from office in March 2021. On April 14, 2021, the board voted 3-1 to remove Corbia.
In the lawsuit complaint, Corbia claims that he was removed because he is a Republican and had taken "differing views" than the rest of the school board.
He also claimed that his Facebook comments were not illegal speech and were thus protected by the First Amendment.
Because he has suffered "extreme mental distress and physical injury," damage to his reputation, the loss of his office, and has had to pay legal fees, Corbia as well as his wife are now seeking over $38 million from the district.
Before his removal, Corbia had been a teacher and coach in Port Chester since 1971 until his retirement in 2011. He was then first elected to the school board in 2012.
Daily Voice reached out to the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District for comment but did not hear back.
This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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