Paul Mascho, Jr. v. Jim Gee George Franks, Sued as Lieutenant George Franks Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department

MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, Circuit Judge.

Paul William Mascho, Jr., brought this action under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and Arkansas law against the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (“the Department”) and two of its employees following the resolution of Arkansas Employment Security Department proceedings. Mr. Mascho claims that the Department discharged and defamed him in violation of the due process guarantee of the Fourteenth Amendment. The district court 1 granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants, and Mr. Mascho appealed. At issue is whether the reasons given for Mr.…