Former METRO attorney sues agency

HOUSTON The lawsuit filed by Pauline Higgins claims her firing in February was the result of "cutthroat politics and cronyism at METRO." She claims METRO set out to punish and discredit her for trying to make sure that laws got followed in business practices.

Higgins also accuses METRO's President and CEO Frank Wilson of resisting her efforts to bring the agency into compliance with state laws regarding document retention. She is seeking unspecified damages and legal fees.

METRO says Higgins' termination was appropriate and justified but it would not comment on the lawsuit.