PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A longtime Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) employee is taking his supervisors to court over claims that he's being retaliated against for publicly criticizing the agency's handling of a pension settlement. Robert Tassoni, who works as a highway maintenance field operations superintendent, filed a whistleblower lawsuit last month accusing RIDOT chief of staff John Igliozzi, as well as his supervisors Norman Marzano and Glenn Cabral, of violating his First Amendment rights. The lawsuit 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 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. RELATED: RIDOT employee accuses supervisors of retaliation Tassoni continued to speak out after RIDOT failed to adhere to that agreement, advocating for himself and others by being "vocal in the community … with respect to [RIDOT's] treatment of employees," according to the lawsuit. "[Tassoni] really went out on a limb to advocate for this particular issue," Deyoe said. "It appears very clearly that he's being targeted because of that." The lawsuit accuses Marzano, Cabral and Igliozzi of singling out Tassoni and his team, 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. Robert Tassoni, who's worked at RIDOT for 14 years, claims his supervisors are retaliating against him for speaking out. 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. "He doesn't have an office now and those documents are not being adequately protected," Deyoe said. "It is just an ongoing situation where, every time he thinks he has something fixed and this is going to stop, it continues." The lawsuit adds that RIDOT allowed one of Tassoni's subordinates to "harass and then violently verbally attack" him without consequence. "He had been physically violent in the workplace previously," Deyoe said, referring to the subordinate. "He was going to be removed and discharged. But instead of having him report to human resources for that, he was allowed to come into the general workplace, where he went after [Tassoni]." Though Tassoni is seeking compensatory damages, Deyoe said the main goal of the lawsuit is to put an end to the retaliation. "He deserves the same playing field that everyone should get as a worker of the state," she said. "He shouldn't be treated differently because he dared to speak out. It's just not fair and he's looking for a fair working environment." Despite the lawsuit, Tassoni is still pushing for RIDOT to correct course and properly contribute to the retirement fund. "He cares and he doesn't just want to walk away," Deyoe said. Deyoe also hopes this lawsuit will open RIDOT's eyes to just how hostile the working environment is becoming for its employees. "You can only go so far with mistreating [employees]," Deyoe said, adding that workers will eventually stand up for themselves. "Tassoni is being mistreated and he shouldn't be. That's the overall message." 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 Neronha's office, to which a spokesperson offered no immediate comment regarding the lawsuit. Deyoe said the state has until Feb. 8 to respond to the lawsuit. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW