Joe Munno, the founding leader of University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men, who was forced out after a controversy over a valedictorian speech last summer, has filed a notice of claim to sue the school, the city of Rochester and Mayor Lovely Warren for libel and slander.

The 2018 valedictorian, Jaisaan Lovett, said he had intended to make a speech at the graduation ceremony, as is customary, but was denied the opportunity by Munno. He and his family noted that Lovett was the school's first black valedictorian.

Lovett also happened to be an intern in the mayor's office, and Warren took up his case in a very public way, allowing him to speak at a podium in City Hall and broadcasting the message on the city's YouTube channel.

"For some reason, his school — in a country where freedom of speech is a constitution right, and the city of Frederick Douglass — turned his moment of triumph into a time of sorrow and pain," Warren said in the video by way of introduction.

Munno retired the following week. In the notice of claim, his lawyer, Paul Guerrieri, said the former principal was the "victim of reverse discrimination ... fomented by (Warren's) racially charged invective."

The filing alleges the mayor was incorrect to say that Lovett was denied a chance to speak, but does not lay out an alternate narrative. UPrep board members also "knew the valedictorian was not prohibited from speaking and that it was his decision and desire to decline that honor," it continues.

In an email, Guerrieri implicitly tied the Munno incident to the more recent racial controversy into which Warren has waded, the firing of WHEC (Channel 10) meteorologist Jeremy Kappell, who said "Martin Luther Coon" on a live broadcast.

"What is most upsetting is the practice of politicians politicizing race to shore up their base," he wrote. "We all know this divisive practice, and it should be roundly condemned by all. Our elected officials should bring the community together, not tear it apart promoting what ultimately will result in racial mistrust and hatred."

Warren, the city and UPrep declined to comment and Lovett did not respond immediately to a request for comment Thursday morning. The lawsuit also names the State University of New York system, which authorized of UPrep's charter.

JMURPHY7@Gannett.com