SAN FRANCISCO, California (Reuters) -- San Francisco's former police chief has filed a $33 million claim against the city, charging that his prosecution in a scandal known as "Fajitagate" violated his civil rights and ruined his reputation, his lawyer said Thursday.

Former chief Earl Sanders faced conspiracy charges to obstruct justice that stemmed from a late-night brawl involving three off-duty officers and two citizens over a bag of fajitas.

The three officers were indicted for their roles in the brawl and Sanders, along with other top police officials, was indicted on cover-up charges -- a move that led many to criticize the district attorney for prosecuting the department's top brass on scant evidence.

Sanders' attorney, Charles Bonner, said his claim charges the city violated the former chief's right to due process and it accuses the city and its former top prosecutor of false arrest, false imprisonment and defamation of character.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/02/06/crime.fajitagate.reut/index.html