PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) employee filed a whistleblower lawsuit earlier this month, claiming he was being retaliated against for expressing concerns about a pension settlement. Robert Tassoni, who works as a highway maintenance field operations superintendent, accused RIDOT chief of staff John Igliozzi, as well as his supervisors Normal Marzano and Glenn Cabral, of violating his First Amendment rights, as well as the Rhode Island Whistleblowers' Protection Act. The lawsuit, which was filed in Rhode Island Superior Court earlier this month, claims Tassoni was punished for questioning RIDOT's minimal contributions to the retirement fund created by the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 1033. Tassoni and his father, who used to be RIDOT's former chief highway maintenance supervisor, reported back in 2021 that the state wasn't properly withholding amounts from the paychecks of LIUNA members. The lawsuit notes that, as a result of a collective bargaining agreement between Tassoni, his father and Igliozzi, RIDOT was forced to make a back payment of more than $4 million to the LIUNA retirement fund. Tassoni continued to speak out after RIDOT failed to adhere to that agreement, however. He lodged a complaint against RIDOT with the United States Department of Transportation since some of the work performed used federal highway money. Tassoni also advocated for himself and others by being "vocal in the community ... with respect to [RIDOT's] treatment of employees," according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit accuses Marzano, Cabral and Igliozzi of singling Tassoni and his team out, denying him overtime and disciplining him. Tassoni was repeatedly asked for documentation about his workers and their actions, which the lawsuit states no other superintendent was required to provide. Tassoni was kicked out of his office and moved into the main floor of a building without the proper equipment and storage for confidential materials as well, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit adds that RIDOT allowed one of Tassoni's subordinates to "harass and then violently verbally attack" him without consequence, and refused to allow him to transfer laterally to a position closer to home. "Igliozzi, Marzano and Cabral acted intentionally, willfully, maliciously, recklessly and egregiously with deliberate indifference to [Tassoni's] clearly established constitutionally protected First Amendment rights," the lawsuit explains. Tassoni has suffered "severe and substantial damages" as a direct result of their actions, according to the lawsuit. "These damages include lost salary, lost employee benefits, lost raises, diminished earnings capacity, lost career and business opportunities, litigation expenses including attorney fees, loss of reputation, humiliation, embarrassment, inconvenience, mental and emotional anguish and distress," the lawsuit continues. Tassoni is seeking compensatory damages "in an amount to be determined by a jury and the court." RIDOT's Charles St. Martin declined to comment on the pending litigation and deferred to Attorney General Peter Neronha's Office, which is representing the state. 12 News reached out to the Attorney General's Office, to which a spokesperson offered no immediate comment regarding the lawsuit. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW