Former Newport Police Lieutenants Sue Department, City

Two former Newport Beach police lieutenants have filed a lawsuit against the city and Police Department alleging they were forced to retire after making complaints about their bosses and city officials.

In the suit, Craig Frizzell and Steven Shulman, who both left the department in 2009, allege that the police promotional process was tainted by "violations of law, violations of Civil Service rules, multiple irregularities and cronyism." They also claim in the lawsuit filed this month that police and city employees, including former City Manager Homer Bludau, accepted gifts from local businesses in exchange for favors.

In response to grievances filed by Frizzell and Shulman, the lawsuit says, the two were passed over for promotions and their titles were changed by then-Police Chief John Klein to "diminish [Frizzell and Shulman's] stature in the organization." They were also locked out of command staff meetings that they previously had attended, according to the lawsuit.

City officials are aware that a lawsuit has been filed, spokeswoman Tara Finnigan said, but the city had not been formally served as of Monday.

The lawsuit seeks court costs, attorney fees and punative damages.