Santa Fe resident says he was defamed by police

GALVESTON � Michael Aldous of Santa Fe alleges Pearland residents Eric Bruss and Silvia Sandoval made defamatory statements about him in retaliation for his father's actions after an arrest two years ago, recent court documents say.

A lawsuit filed May 23 in Galveston County District Court explains that Bruss and Sandoval labeled Aldous "dangerous," "a threat" and "unstable" in an attempt to discredit formal complaints by Aldous and his father against Bruss, a Santa Fe police officer.

Bruss reportedly apprehended the elder Aldous for an unspecified offense in 2008.

The latter addressed the arrest to SFPD, and "the city tendered an offer of nearly $5,000 to him in an attempt to sweep the misconduct of one of Bruss's colleagues under the rug," the original petition says.

The city disciplined the colleague, noting the measure in his permanent file.

Aldous contends the defendants proceeded to defame him by showing third parties his picture and making false statements about him, insisting he was slandered.

"The defendants' statements and actions were made falsely intentionally with malice to harm the reputation of the plaintiff," the suit says.

It ultimately states that Aldous � who also has a federal lawsuit arising from an arrest of his own � suffered public humiliation, mental anguish and emotional distress and his business interests were negatively affected by Bruss and Sandoval's alleged actions.

He consequently seeks unspecified monetary damages.

Aldous is representing himself in the case.

Galveston County 10th District Court Judge David Garner is presiding over the litigation.

Case No. 11-cv-0824