Federal contractor sues U.S. Government after losing career over false criminal allegations

GREENBELT, Maryland - Justly Prudent announced today the filing of a lawsuit against the United States government on behalf of Dushaune Evans, a former Department of Homeland Security contractor who lost his job and security clearance after the government rushed to judgment based on unfounded criminal allegations that were later dismissed.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, seeks damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act for negligence and violations of Mr. Evans' Fifth Amendment due process rights. According to the amended complaint, Mr. Evans, a 59-year-old Maryland resident, was wrongfully terminated from his contracting position after the Department of Homeland Security declared him "unfit for continued assignment" based solely on unproven criminal allegations made by his estranged spouse following his withdrawal of her Green Card application.

The lawsuit details how DHS issued its determination just 10 days after Mr. Evans' arrest and before any investigation or adjudication of the charges could take place. Less than two months later, all criminal charges against Mr. Evans were dropped, but by then, he had already lost his $140,000 annual salary, employment benefits, and the security clearance he had maintained for nearly twenty years.

"This case represents a shocking failure of due process," said Jordan D. Howlette, Managing Attorney at Justly Prudent. "The government effectively destroyed Mr. Evans' career by making a hasty judgment about his character before the criminal justice system had a chance to evaluate the allegations against him, which were ultimately dismissed."

The complaint alleges that DHS failed to provide Mr. Evans with any notice, opportunity to contest the allegations, or procedural protections whatsoever before taking action that devastated his career and reputation. Mr. Evans seeks compensatory damages, a name-clearing hearing, reinstatement of his security clearance, and a retraction of the false statements made about him.

The case is Dushaune E. Evans v. United States of America (Case No. 8:24-cv-02545-GLS), filed in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.