ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) — Ithaca’s former acting police chief believes he was the victim of racial discrimination. 

John Joly filed a notice of claim last month, a necessary step in a lawsuit. That claim has been obtained by the Ithaca Voice, which reports Joly says the city created a hostile work environment and discriminated against him because he’s white.

Mayor Laura Lewis, several members of Common Council, and the city’s HR director are listed as defendants.

Joly, who served two years as acting chief, has been on an indefinite leave of absence since April.