A former Donna city employee whose wife lost in her bid for public office is alleging political retaliation after being fired from his job.
David de los Rios filed a lawsuit against the City of Donna, City Manager Oscar Cuellar, Mayor David Simmons and City Councilmen Guadalupe Castillo and Simon Sauceda in May.
The lawsuit was moved to federal court as a possible civil rights violation on Friday.
De los Rios’ wife Angie de los Rios ran for Donna City Council in November.
She lost to Guadalupe Castillo.
De los Rios alleges he was fired from his job with the City of Donna shortly after his wife lost the race as “retaliation for his support of the losing candidate”.
The Donna man is seeking alleged damages and legal expenses.