FOLEY, Ala. — Former police chief Tim Bryan’s short tenure with the city has had lingering effects as witnessed by the civil suit Bryan has filed in Baldwin County Circuit Court against the City of Foley and former mayor Tim Russell, now the State Revenue Commissioner.

Bryan, who held the police chief post from October 2005 until late April 2006, has filed a five-count suit alleging defamation of character and abuse of process. Others named in the suit are Sgt. Mark Alexander, a Foley Police Department officer, and Richard Springsteen, who left FPD to join another law enforcement agency.

One count of defamation of character alleges that Russell, as mayor at the time, “made slanderous comments to numerous parties” that Bryan, then chief of police, “unlawfully obtained information on employees” that violated procedures and the State Code.

Other counts of alleged defamation in the suit are that Russell insinuated to the public and media that “emergency funding for security precautions/measures” were taken to safeguard against “possible repercussions or retaliation” by Bryan after being suspended; that Russell stated that “alleged personnel policy violations” were at the heart of Bryan’s suspension; and that Alexander and Springsteen allegedly made comments that Bryan was in a “sexual relationship with a female subordinate.”

The abuse of process count alleges that Russell conducted an investigation into Bryan’s activities and “knowingly collected and disseminated false, misleading and defamatory information” about Bryan.

It is also alleged in the same count that Russell turned the information over to the city council, city administrator, and city attorneys among others.

Bryan, who came to Foley from Valley, Ala., in Chambers County, returned to Valley following his resignation. A few months later, he began legal proceedings against the City of Foley. Russell resigned as mayor shortly thereafter to work on the state’s insurance crisis brought about by back to back hurricane years,

Earlier this year, Russell was picked by Gov. Bob Riley to head up the State Revenue Department.

Attempts Tuesday to reach Bryan’s attorney in Valley, Brandy Easlick, proved unsuccessful.

Mayor John Koniar the same day said he couldn’t comment on the lawsuit; that the matter has been turned over to city attorneys.