Former University Police officer Freddie Lee has filed a lawsuit against Northwestern, he wrote in an e-mail Thursday.

Lee, a Chinese American, previously filed a discrimination claim with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Sept. 25, THE DAILY reported in October. He joined the UP in September 2005 and was suspended with pay Sept. 10, 2009.

“I wish to inform you that a lawsuit has been filed and the lawsuit is now public record,” Lee wrote.

His lawyer, Justin London, could not be reached for comment. According to London’s Web site, the firm is filing an action against NU and UP “for egregious discrimination and retaliation in the workplace in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”

Title VII, as amended, prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

University spokesman Al Cubbage said last fall that Lee’s claims had “absolutely no merit” and the University would contest them.