A former phone-sex operator wrote a short book about her experiences in 2016 in order to make sure persons were apprised of the predatory nature of some men. She subsequently obtained a position as an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer placed with the Indiana National Guard (as a civilian). When her superiors at the Indiana National Guard discovered her authorship, she was first removed from her placement with the Indiana National Guard and then terminated from participation in the VISTA program. ACLU of Indiana filed a lawsuit on First Amendment grounds against both the state and federal officials responsible for these decisions. The defendants have moved to dismiss the case, and we have sought summary judgment. The case is pending.
Harnishfeger v. United States of America
Attorney(s)
Gavin M. Rose, Jan P. Mensz
Date filed
November 1, 2016
Status
Pending
Related Issues
Related content

New Indiana Law Undermines Police Accountability and First Amendment
August 18, 2023
ACLU of Indiana Lawsuit Claims New 25-Foot Encroachment Law...
August 8, 2023
How Book Bans Impact Hoosiers Behind Bars
July 26, 2023
ACLU Sues Henry County Sheriff for Censoring Constituent on...
July 21, 2023
ACLU Sues Town of Kingsford Heights for Blocking Constituents on...
June 21, 2023
ACLU of Indiana Challenges Law Censoring Classroom Discussions
June 9, 2023
Book Banning Bill Heads to Indiana Governor’s Desk
April 27, 2023
Indiana Lawmakers Choose Censorship Over Freedom in Schools
March 15, 2023