Asmus claims he was ultimately reassigned from his duties, including an alleged active investigation on United’s Boeing 737 MAX fleet.
On June 27, 2025, an administrative law judge for the U.S. Department of Transportation dismissed the FAA charges against Asmus, according to the decision included in the complaint. Per the decision, attached to the complaint as an exhibit, the judge apparently determined the claims that Asmus interfered with flight attendants were “not credible.” The FAA opted not to appeal, making the decision final and binding.
The administrative law judge’s putative ruling reads, “chilling passenger complaints about safety issues, by negatively responding to such complaints, will lead to negative impacts. Inevitably, unreported matters will impact the safety of the aircraft and the lives of all passengers on board.”
Following the ruling, Asmus claims in his complaint that he wrote to United to have his travel ban lifted, which they have allegedly refused to do.
Asmus is now accusing the carrier of defamation per se, tortious interference, fraudulent misrepresentation, civil extortion, intentional infliction of emotional distress, civil assault and tortious interference with federal duties.
Asmus, who is representing himself, is demanding $12.75 million in damages, including $250,000 for loss of wages, legal defense and future financial harm, $2.5 million for severe emotional distress and professional humiliation and $10 million in punitive damages.
Credit: ColsonThayer
