An Alabama A&M trustee has filed a federal lawsuit against the university president and the Board of Trustees.

Trustee James Montgomery filed suit in the Northern District of Alabama Thursday, saying the defendants violated his First Amendment rights and committed defamation against his character. He also filed a lawsuit saying trustee Jerome B. Williams committed workplace discrimination because he reported a violation.

Montgomery's attorney John Saxon commented on the recent filings Friday.

"Jim Montgomery has been a dedicated member of the Board of Alabama A & M University for more than a decade. He is a voice—often, a lone voice—for fiscal responsibility and integrity. He spoke out on numerous matters of public concern, for which he was retaliated against. He was removed from Board committees, censured, and had false ethics charges filed against him. I am honored to represent him. We have filed a serious lawsuit about serious problems at A & M."

Alabama A&M declined to comment, as the university said it has not received the lawsuit as of Friday afternoon.