Former Finance Director for Selma Bob Sanders has filed a $2 million lawsuit against the city of Selma in Mobile federal court.

The suit alleges that Mayor James Perkins,

Jr. named as one of the defendants in the case, violated his right to freedom of speech by terminating him. The suit states that Sanders was fired for speaking out against the annexation of Valley Grande and the surrounding area, as well as pointing out discrepancies in the city’s accounting practices done at the mayor’s orders.

Sanders, a resident of Valley Grande, was placed on administrative leave with pay on Oct. 1, 2002. Sanders was dismissed as Finance Director by the City Council on Nov. 25, 2002.

The suit asks for an award of punitive damages in the amount of $1,500,000 and compensatory damages of $500,000.

Sanders is being represented by Jim Zeigler, of Mobile. Zeigler was also the plaintiff in the ethics case against former governor Don Siegelman.

Council President George Evans said the issue would have to work its way through court and that the city committed no wrong doing.

“The council felt that what was done was done properly,” Evans said.

Perkins couldn’t be contacted by presstime.

According to a press release from Sanders attorney, hearings probably wouldn’t begin on the case until early next year.