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Judge Rejects Sheriff's Suit Against Commissioners

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by Dona Ana County Sheriff Enrique "Kiki" Vigil against two county commissioners over claims that they tried to curtail his right to free speech.

Vigil's 2014 lawsuit alleges commissioners Billy Garrett and Wayne Hancock retaliated against him because he publicly criticized the commission over issues, such as staffing and pay levels.

But the judge agreed with the commissioners in his decision Friday.

Garrett and Hancock had filed a motion to dismiss the suit, arguing that they are entitled to qualified immunity and that Vigil failed to make a viable case for liability.