Ex-Atlanta fire chief announces federal suit against city

ATLANTA (AP) -- Atlanta's former fire chief who was fired after self-publishing a book that described homosexuality as a perversion says he's suing the city and Mayor Kasim Reed.

Attorneys from Alliance Defending Freedom announced the federal lawsuit over Kelvin Cochran's termination on Wednesday. Cochran says he was fired over expressing his religious beliefs. The suit seeks lost wages, pay for emotional distress and more.

Six Republican members of Georgia's congressional delegation also wrote a letter to Reed, criticizing Cochran's termination and asking for his reinstatement.

Reed has said Cochran was suspended and fired in January because he gave the book to subordinates at work. Reed has also said Cochran was fired because he violated employee protocol by publishing the book without authorization. Reed has said he is also a man of faith.