PORTLAND, Ore. -- Mayor Sam Adams' former communications director is suing the city on charges of wrongful discharge, defamation, invasion of privacy and unpaid wages.

Wade Nkrumah's lawyers filed a complaint Monday alleging that Nkrumah quit the position because Adams lied about his relationship with teenager Beau Breedlove.

The court document claims that the mayor told a reporter that Nkrumah quit because he couldn't handle the stress, which wasn't the case.

Nkrumah said the statement by Adams amounts to defamation.

The lawsuit demands a jury trial and declines the option of letting a mediator settle the issue.

Nkrumah's lawsuit seeks more than $162,000 in economic damages. He's also seeking $400,000 in non-economic damages related to the mayor's statement.

Adams' spokesman did not return phone calls seeking comment Monday night.