Former Environmental Police Chief Sues Over Firing

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BOSTON (AP) — The former head of the Massachusetts Environmental Police has filed a lawsuit alleging he was wrongfully fired in retaliation for reporting misconduct in the agency.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday against the agency demands former Environmental Police Col. James McGinn be returned to his job. He's also seeking damages for loss of pay and emotional distress.

McGinn first alleged in April that he repeatedly reported unethical and illegal conduct, but his complaints went ignored by his boss, former state Environmental Secretary Matthew Beaton.

McGinn was fired last October.

The Boston Globe reported that month that a state report alleged McGinn fixed two traffic tickets and used state funds to install unauthorized surveillance cameras to monitor workers.

A spokeswoman for the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs referred to that state report when asked for a comment Tuesday.