PITTSBURGH—Pittsburgh officials say in court documents they had already cut a $16,000 check to cover a retired firefighter's sick pay before he sued claiming the money was being withheld for criticizing city street crews in a TV news interview just days before he retired.

The 56-year-old retiree, David Cerminara, sued alleging the city retaliated after he told KDKA-TV he thought it was "stupid, and a waste of taxpayer money" when lines painted on a city street near the fire station in May were removed hours later when the street was repaved.

Cerminara's July 5 lawsuit contends the city public safety director disciplined him and withheld his accrued sick pay in retaliation. But the city says the check was cut on June 29.

Cerminara's attorney claims he still had to threaten to sue to get the check.