Former Jersey City aide fired over support for right-wing extremist sister sues Democratic mayor

Jonathan Gomez Noriega, a former aide to Jersey City, New Jersey Mayor Steven Fulop who also served on an LGBTQ+ task force, has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the mayor of retaliation, discrimination, and defamation after he was fired for supporting his sister, Valentina Gomez, a far-right extremist and failed Republican candidate whose campaign was marked by bigoted anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and slurs.

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Gomez Noriega’s firing in August followed the revelation that he had contributed to his sister’s controversial campaign for the Republican nomination for Missouri secretary of state. The Advocate’s review of campaign contribution records showed that Gomez Noriega donated $1,250 to her campaign in four installments: $150 in October 2023, $100 in February, $500 in April, and $500 on July 12. While Gomez Noriega publicly disavowed her inflammatory rhetoric, he claims his support stemmed from familial loyalty rather than an endorsement of her views.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, claims that Gomez Noriega’s termination violated his First Amendment rights and was politically motivated.

Related: Don't be 'weak and gay,' Missouri Republican candidate says in campaign video

Valentina Gomez gained national attention for her incendiary platform, which included burning LGBTQ-themed books with a flamethrower, using slurs to describe transgender athletes and gay people, and urging the creation of separate sports categories for LGBTQ+ competitors. Her social media posts, rife with antigay rhetoric, drew widespread condemnation from advocacy groups like GLAAD and eventually led to the suspension of her Instagram account by Meta in September for violating hate speech policies.

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Gomez Noriega’s lawsuit claims that his support for his sister—despite publicly disavowing her views—was rooted in familial loyalty and constitutionally protected speech. He alleges that his firing was orchestrated to protect Fulop’s progressive image as the mayor prepares for a gubernatorial run.

Related: Anti-LGBTQ+ Republican trounced in Missouri Republican primary. Was it worth her brother’s cushy job?

The lawsuit outlines a series of alleged retaliatory actions by Fulop and his administration, including pressure on Gomez Noriega to denounce his sister’s campaign publicly. It also highlights a recorded phone call in which Fulop reportedly told Gomez Noriega, “If it’s not clear where you stand, then you’re not with me. You’re with her, and you can’t work with me.”

The complaint further alleges that Gomez Noriega faced a hostile work environment, with senior officials making culturally insensitive remarks about his Colombian heritage. Gomez Noriega, a former Olympic swimmer had worked for the mayor’s office since 2018, serving in roles that included representing the city’s LGBTQ+ Task Force. Because of his role with the task force, local advocacy groups called for the mayor to take action after Gomez Noriega’s support for his sister’s campaign became known.

“My First Amendment right was violated,” Gomez Noriega wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after filing the lawsuit. “This is not about a job or a political party. This is about our constitutional right to freedom of speech.”

Kim Wallace-Scalcione, Fulop’s press secretary, dismissed the lawsuit as baseless.

“This lawsuit has no merit. Jonathan was an at-will employee, and part of his responsibilities were focused on the LGBTQ Community along with diversity and inclusion. Once he decided to partake in a hate-filled campaign, the community in Jersey City no longer wanted to work with him, making him unable to do his work responsibilities. It’s as simple as that, and we wish him luck in his next chapter,” Wallace-Scalcione said in a statement to The Advocate.