One of the original whistleblowers in the hired trucks scandal has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Chicago.

Pat McDonough is a plumber for the Water Department.

His lawsuit alleges that co-workers retaliated against him for revealing the corruption.

McDonough says he was denied promotions and overtime opportunities.

“I believe I’m entitled to have my life put back together and nobody’s even trying to do that, they’re trying to do the opposite,” McDonough says. “So, instead, I’ve basically given up trying to put my life back in one piece. They’ve wrecked me financially and in other ways.”

The lawsuit also states that McDonough was illegally fired from the Water Department a year ago.

He got his job back in January.

A spokesperson for the City of Chicago says officials haven’t seen the lawsuit.