Fired Sex Offender Registry Head Sues Patrick

The former head of Massachusetts' Sex Offender Registry Board has filed a lawsuit against outgoing Gov. Deval Patrick, saying she was wrongfully fired in September.

Saundra Edwards said in the suit filed this week in Essex Superior Court that Patrick put his "personal and political interests" above the interests of the board, which tracks the state's sex offenders.

Patrick cited a "cumulative loss of confidence" when he fired Edwards.

In one case, a board hearing officer determined that the governor's brother-in-law was not obligated to register as a sex offender after serving time for a California spousal rape conviction. The hearing officer said Edwards tried to influence the decision.

A spokeswoman for Patrick tells the Boston Herald that the suit is being reviewed by the governor's legal counsel.