LA GRULLA - Something's rotten in the City of La Grulla, one former police chief says.

Arturo Hernandez, who served as the city's top cop until July 2006, has filed a federal lawsuit claiming municipal politics cost him his job and eventually led to baseless criminal charges against him.

The city's long-time mayor denies Hernandez's claims. He maintains the former chief was let go for misusing city funds and refusing to take a drug test.

But no matter who residents in this small community just west of Sullivan City believe, the dust-up between the government and Hernandez is only the latest in a string of scandals that have plagued the small police department.

La Grulla police have cycled through at least four permanent or acting chiefs in the last two years -- only one of which left without a cloud of suspicion over his head.

Chief Alfredo Hernandez - who is not related to his predecessor -- was suspended in May after a La Grulla Middle School student told police he solicited sex from her on the campus. He has since entered a not guilty plea and is currently awaiting trial.

Arturo Hernandez's dismissal came more quietly, but also ended with an arrest.

The city demoted him from chief of police to patrolman in 2006 after a city meeting he was never notified of, according to his lawsuit.

Within five months, he was back on the hot seat after he refused to participate in "an illegal activity with certain city officials and employees" suggested by a fellow officer, the document states.

Few details about the alleged scheme appear in Arturo Hernandez's suit. His attorney did not return calls for comment.

But the former chief was fired from the force and a few months later found himself being booked into the Starr County jail on malicious mischief charges.

Arturo Hernandez says his arrest came suspiciously during the city's 2007 mayoral race, after he publicly campaigned in favor of

Mayor Oscar Gonzalez's opponent - Angel Villarreal. The charges were quickly dismissed later that year.

Gonzalez denied the insinuation, arguing instead that the city decided to fire Arturo Hernandez because he had used city money to buy bullets for his personal use. When confronted with the accusations, the former chief allegedly refused to take a drug test, the mayor said.

"We don't have anything to worry about from that guy," Gonzalez said last week.

Arturo Hernandez's suit names the city, Gonzalez and Alfredo Hernandez as defendants and asks the court to award him up to $200 million in damages. A hearing has been set for March 5.

Since the two Hernandezes departure, two different interim chiefs have led the La Grulla police department. One left for another department, the other continues to lead the force.

Gonzalez said he hopes the city will be able to appoint a new permanent chief sometime soon.

Jeremy Roebuck covers courts and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4437.