Lonnie Hicks, former Pacifia Radio CFO files suit against Foundation

Suit alleges that Pacifica Radio governance factions use guerrilla warfare to coerce those who are different from themselves along racial and political lines, and "acts in an intolerant, capricious, discriminatory, retaliatory, prejudicial and coercive manner" and "believe that the ends ... justify the means."

Complaint continues that "On July 3, 2008 Hicks informed the PNB that the directors were breaching their fiduciary obligations by failing to act to protect the assets of the organization." And on "July 14, 2008, the PNB decided it was going to 'teach Lonnie a lesson' and it placed Hicks on administrative leave while it investigated fabricated and bogus charges ..."

Lawsuit further complains that Hicks complained to PNB that acts against him were a form of retaliation for his whistle blowing and because of his race. Hicks was exonerated after the investigation, something that the PNB chose not to share with the rest of the foundation. Then as a further step to punish Hicks for not following orders, a snap evaluation was done on his performance. This was done by the majority faction who refused to seat new directors "known to be fair and supportive of Hicks."

Hicks was terminated within 24 hours, an act that caused then-Pacifica attorney Dan Siegel to inform the PNB that they were acting recklessly.

Basically Hicks alleges that members of the Pacifica Foundation acted against him "maliciously, fraudulently and oppressively, with the wrongful intention of injuring plaintiff, from an improper and evil motive amounting to malice, and in conscious disregard to plaintiffs rights."

Additionally, Hicks alleges other policies within the foundation that are specifically discriminatory against African-Americans, and that have been used to harm him. Hicks also alleges various acts of defamation against him by members of the foundation and that they violated labor laws concerning his employment.