In a case testing sovereign immunity, a former employee of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians said he was fired after he complained about a tribal elder.

Jamal Kanj served as director of public works for the southern California tribe. He said was fired after he reported that the elder's cattle operation was polluting a creek.

The tribe does not dispute getting rid of Kanj. But officials said it was for his poor work performance.

The case is now before the Department of Labor. Last year, a review board found that the tribe's immunity was abrogated by the whistleblower sections of the federal Clean Water Act.

Kanj wants his job back and more than $3 million in damages. An administrative law judge heard the case last week.

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Man says Viejas fired him out of retaliation (The San Diego Union-Tribune 8/26)