Former San Antonio police officer Joe Salvaggio has filed a defamation lawsuit against WOAI and several of its staffers, alleging that the NBC-affiliate caused him shame and mental anguish in reporting that he had been caught cheating on a promotional exam.

Last spring WOAI reported that Salvaggio, a 23-year veteran of the force, was facing disciplinary action after he was caught cheating on a promotional exam. In July of 2010, Salvaggio was fired.

WOAI news director Tom Bell told the San Antonio Express-News that he hasn’t yet gotten a chance to review the lawsuit. Bell was named in the suit along with anchor Randy Beamer and several other WOAIers.

According to the Express-News, Salvaggio’s initial filing did not specify damages being sought.