The Associated Press

LAKE OZARK, Mo. -- A former police officer has filed a federal lawsuit claiming he was fired from his job after complaining to co-workers a bachelor party was too lewd.

John Ernest Boyuk is suing Lake Ozark officials seeking $800,000 in damages and reinstatement to his job.

The lawsuit was filed against the city's police chief, the former city administrator and five aldermen.

Boyuk, on the police force for three years, claims he was fired last April after complaining about the May 2000 party, which he contends was attended by law enforcement officers from several police agencies and local politicians.

The lawsuit contends some of the defendants engaged in, witnessed or aided illegal behavior "by their attendance at a bachelor party wherein two women were paid to perform sexual acts with one another."

Members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol attended and investigated the party, but found nothing illegal, according to former Lake Ozark mayor Gary Webber.

"The city had good cause to get rid of him," Webber said of Boyuk. "I personally think he has no ground for" the lawsuit. The state Highway Patrol confirmed an internal inquiry had been conducted but a full investigation was not launched.