HUNTINGTON, TX —  Former Zavalla Municipal Judge Bruce Milstead filed a lawsuit against the city of Zavalla in federal court on Monday, claiming he was fired and retaliated against because he spoke out on a matter of public concern.

The lawsuit also names Mayor Jimmy Davis and council members Sue Hough, Pam Hooks and Nicole Yarborough as defendants. The Zavalla City Council voted 3-2 to eliminate the municipal judge position during a special called meeting on Aug. 7 that lasted less than five minutes. The matter was never discussed in open session during that meeting, but was discussed in closed session during a special called meeting on Aug. 2.

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