Fired Lakeville Cop Files Suit Against City

LAKEVILLE, Minn. (AP) — A Lakeville police officer who was fired for talking to the media without permission is suing the city, saying it violating his First Amendment rights.

Rick Bussler argues the police department's media policy is flawed and that he didn't violate it before he was terminated in November 2014.

The Star Tribune  says Bussler has a media background and owns newspapers in southeastern Minnesota. A state arbitrator earlier ruled in favor of the city, saying Bussler released information about active police investigations. An attorney representing Lakeville, Patricia Beety, says the city stands by the arbitrator's ruling.

Bussler is seeking damages of more than $50,000 in federal court.