Full Breakdown
Denver Airport Lawyer Files Lawsuit Against City Officials Over Alleged Retaliation
3/19/2026, 4:59:51 AM
Allegations of Retaliation and Misconduct
Everett Martinez, the general counsel and executive vice president of Denver International Airport, has filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Denver and three top officials, alleging that he was pushed out of his position after raising concerns about the legality of the Park Hill Golf Course land swap. The lawsuit claims that city officials pressured him to change his legal counsel and retaliated against him when he refused. Martinez contends that the land swap, which involved transferring land near the airport to Westside Investment Partners in exchange for the 145-acre Park Hill Golf Course, could violate federal law and jeopardize airport funding.
Martinez alleges that he was placed on administrative leave after he insisted on maintaining records related to the real estate transaction, contrary to directives from city officials. He claims that during a January meeting, City Attorney Miko Brown told him he had "zero credibility" and suggested he "get a noose and hang yourself" if he did not support a plan to remove airport CEO Phil Washington. The lawsuit also accuses Brown of unethical conduct regarding Key Lime Airlines, which was barred from a lease at the airport due to its involvement in deportations based on immigration status.
Official Responses and Denials
In response to the lawsuit, Jon Ewing, a spokesperson for Denver Mayor Michael Johnston, dismissed the allegations as "40 pages of horses*** from a disgruntled employee." Ewing asserted that the Park Hill deal was legal and compliant with federal law, and he denied any conspiracy to remove Washington. He further claimed that Martinez had not been asked to violate any laws or city policies but had instead violated his ethical obligations by opposing his client and disclosing privileged information.
Documentation and Next Steps
Martinez maintains that he has extensive documentation to support his claims, stating, "My team, the airport, and I kept a tremendous amount of contemporaneous records of all the allegations discussed in the court filing." The case is now set to proceed in federal court, where both parties will present their evidence and arguments.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the city’s actions, including Martinez, argue that the pressure exerted on him to conceal information and the alleged unethical conduct surrounding the Key Lime Airlines investigation raise serious ethical and legal concerns. The allegations highlight potential conflicts between city officials' interests and legal compliance, particularly regarding federal aviation regulations.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Martinez's lawsuit presents serious allegations against city officials, the mayor's office has categorically denied all claims. The contrasting narratives will be scrutinized in court, where the validity of the claims and the responses will be tested. The outcome may have significant implications for governance and legal practices within the city of Denver and its airport operations.
