RALEIGH -- A state highway patrol leader is pointing the finger at Gov. Mike Easley's press office for forcing him to fire a trooper.

Sgt. Charles Jones was fired last fall after accusations that he abused his police dog. The cabinet secretary who oversees the patrol said it ultimately was his own decision to fire Jones but patrol Lt. Col. Cecil Lockley said in a deposition last week there was unlawful political intervention in the case.

Jones says the decision violated his due process and is suing to get his job back.

The Department of Crime Control and Public Safety also released the affidavit of department secretary Bryan Beatty, who said he upheld the firing after an impartial review of the case.