My name is Tyler Patterson.

Recently, my employer conducted a sham investigation and used its findings to demote me and re-assign me to a new position.

The crux of the allegations is that two years ago, at a dinner after hours with staff, allegedly I said something offensive. Anyone who knows me will know the specific allegation is ludicrous and I identified witnesses who said it never happened. My employer is ignoring their testimony. There is zero corroborating evidence from two years ago to support the allegations and no explanation given why no one bothered to say anything until now.

My chain of command has made it known for years that they do not support me and have wanted an excuse to remove me after I approved an employee’s request for a reasonable accommodation. They did not conduct their recent investigation under any accepted practice in coordination with Human Resources. The executive to whom I sent my response to the proposed demotion helped coordinate the case against me and gave instructions beforehand as to the outcome in violation of accepted due process.

I am fighting this action and I have hired an attorney to help me. If I win, I will ask for my employer to reimburse legal fees. Unfortunately, I have to pay those fees just to get a hearing. It is expensive but justice should be swift. It could all be over in just five months.

My case is strong and I have plenty of documentation and witness support to show that my employer did not meet its evidentiary burden to sustain the allegations, it retaliated against me for participating in protected activity, and it committed harmful error in executing its procedures for adverse actions.

Long story short, I’m asking for donations for my legal fees. If I win and the attorney fees are reimbursed, my plan/hope is to reimburse every single donation. Obviously I cannot guarantee I will win but I would not be fighting this and spending this money if I didn’t believe my case was strong and just. My employer’s executive team has abused their authority many times over targeting way too many good people. To them, if you don’t play their game and show them personal loyalty, you cannot be trusted. That’s why they don’t like me. I have always stood up to their bullshit and I put the mission and front line staff first. My hope is to expose just how unethical and how petty the executive team has been. Perhaps it will trigger some accountability among the executives at my place of work. What I have to show the judge will embarrass them.

This crowdfunding effort will be governed by strict rules of ethics. I cannot accept money from subordinates and I cannot accept money from people who work where I work who make less than me unless we have a personal relationship. Also, I cannot accept money from folks who have business before my place of work. I will track each donation and return donations that might appear to violate these rules.

If my legal fees are reimbursed, I will return every donation starting with the biggest and moving on down.

I have worked hard all my life to help people in my personal and professional life. I am not a perfect person but I care a lot. I lead with my heart and I hope to always be able to do so. At the end of the day, this demotion will change the nature and trajectory of my career. I sacrificed a lot to get where I was. I need your help to get me back where I belong - getting the job done with integrity.

Please know I love you and appreciate any support you can give me.