Updated on Oct. 20 at 8:56 a.m. to add LENRD statement.

NORFOLK, Neb. -- A lawsuit has been filed in federal court against the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District on behalf of Melissa Temple.

Temple is an LENRD Director who was sanctioned back in August. The lawsuit has been filed by the University of Nebraska College of Law's First Amendment Clinic

The lawsuit that has been filed is challenging the resolution adopted by the LENRD on Aug. 10, that sanctioned Temple for criticizing the behavior of another elected director, according to a news release. 

The release went on to say that as a result of what Temple said, the LENRD removed her from all subcommittees and suspended her right to obtain certain travel reimbursements guaranteed by Nebraska law for one year. 

The Clinic said they are challenging the LENRD's sanctions as a violation of Temples' First Amendment right to free speech. 

A Motion for Preliminary Injunction has also been filed by the Clinic. According to the press release, this asks the Court to suspend the sanctions pending a final resolution of the case. 

"The sanctions imposed on Temple by the LENRD are a step too far," said Daniel Gutman, Director of the First Amendment Clinic at the University of Nebraska College of Law. "The LENRD has punished Director Temple for engaging in protected First Amendment speech and diminished her ability to participate in meaningful policy discussions and decisions. We hope this lawsuit fully restores Director Temple's rights as a duly elected representative."

"When I ran for the LENRD Board, I promised my constituents that I would fight for transparency and accountability," Temple said. "I did just that by filing this lawsuit."

This is the first case filed by the First Amendment Clinic. 

In response to this filing, General Manager Brian Bruckner responded by stating, “Given the sensitive nature of this matter, along with the fact that there is active litigation being pursued on behalf of Director Temple against the District, we will simply acknowledge receipt of the court filing and that we are consulting with our legal counsel to assess our options to defend the District. That being stated, we will have no further comment on the matter until new details become available.”