A recently filed federal lawsuit alleges that a municipal government and one of its top officials violated constitutional rights by seizing personal property without a warrant following an employee’s termination. The complaint was submitted by Dartanian John Sanders to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on March 18, 2026, naming the City of Bogalusa and Fiscal Administrator Robert A. Neilson as defendants.
According to court documents, Sanders served as Manager of the Bogalusa Airport and Director of Compliance until his dismissal on March 3, 2025. The filing states that late that afternoon, Robert A. Neilson entered Sanders’ office at the airport accompanied by senior members of the Bogalusa Police Department. Neilson allegedly ordered Sanders to leave immediately without taking any belongings. Sanders was then directed to drive his city vehicle to City Hall where he received a termination letter from Human Services Director Leslie Pittman citing “budget restraint” as the reason for discharge.
The complaint describes how after being driven back to retrieve his personal vehicle from the airport, Sanders was instead brought back to City Hall at Chief Smith’s direction. There, he was instructed by Assistant Chief Troy Tervalon to empty his pockets. When Sanders asked if he was under arrest, he was told he was not. He then surrendered two thumb drives and a hard drive from his pockets to Assistant Chief Tervalon. Additionally, Major Bracey reportedly seized a folder containing personal papers. Despite requesting their return from Neilson, Sanders says his property was not returned.
Sanders asserts that no criminal charges were filed against him at any time before or after these events. He further claims that in the year since his property was taken, he has not been informed that he is under investigation or charged with any crime.
The lawsuit outlines several legal claims including violation of Fourth Amendment rights due to warrantless seizure without probable cause; violation of Fourteenth Amendment due process protections; racial discrimination; hostile work environment; harassment; retaliation for whistleblower activity; and deprivation of equal protection under federal civil rights statutes such as 42 U.S.C. § 1981 and Title VII.
Sanders alleges that he identified financial misconduct within city operations and engaged in protected whistleblower activity prior to his termination. He claims that Neilson retaliated against him by directing harassment, influencing law enforcement actions against him, and targeting him for dismissal under what Sanders calls a pretextual justification.
Additional causes cited include First Amendment retaliation for speaking on matters of public concern related to public corruption; municipal liability based on policies or actions by policymakers; whistleblower retaliation under both federal False Claims Act provisions (31 U.S.C. § 3730(h)) and Louisiana state law (La. R.S. 23:967); employment discrimination under Louisiana law; civil rights conspiracy (42 U.S.C. § 1985(3)); and failure to prevent violations (42 U.S.C. § 1986).
The complaint states: “Plaintiff suffered loss of wages, loss of business income, emotional distress [and] reputational harm.” It further alleges improper withholding of pay records and employment documents as well as being required to pay for access to those records.
Sanders seeks judgment in his favor with compensatory damages—including lost wages, benefits, business income—as well as punitive damages and declaratory relief under federal statute (28 U.S.C. § 2201). He also requests injunctive relief, attorney’s fees pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1988, costs and interest associated with litigation, damages “of not less than $1,000,000,” or an amount proven at trial.
The plaintiff demands a jury trial in this matter.
Dartanian John Sanders is representing himself in this action according to contact information provided in court filings: “1746 McArthur Drive Slidell LA 70460 Telephone: (985) 276-9111 Email: omniopp@gmail.com.” The case is identified as Case No. 2:26-cv-00600-CJB-EJD.
Source: 226cv00600_Dartanian_John_v_City_of_Bogalusa_Complaint_Eastern_District_of_Louisiana.pdf
