BELL (CBS/AP) — The ex-police chief of the city of Bell sued the city Thursday for severance pay he wasn’t given after he was forced out of his job amid a corruption scandal.

Randy Adams claims that when he stopped working for Bell in 2010, he didn’t agree to give up his severance.

In the lawsuit, he alleges he was told the City Council decided that he resigned and to not pay him salary and benefits.

Adams was one of the highest paid law enforcement officials in the nation, making over $400,000 a year.

The LA Times reports he’s collecting a pension from the state worth more than $22,000 a month.

New Bell City Manager Doug Willmore released a statement saying, “The filing of this suit looks to be the height of hypocrisy to me. Randy Adams’ claim will be answered with a counterclaim that will far exceed anything that he is asking for.”

Eight former Bell city officials are awaiting trial on charges, including misappropriation of public funds.

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