Story by Justine Griffin & Gabrielle Russon for the Herald-Tribune.

Former Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport administrator Michael Walley is suing the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority and the airport’s chief executive, claiming they interfered with his business relationships, concealed the capabilities of a computer program on shared electronic devices, caused him emotional distress and defamed him.

Walley — who worked as the airport’s director of development and community relations for 10 years and reported to CEO Frederick “Rick” Piccolo — left his position in January 2013.

In a lawsuit filed in Sarasota County circuit court earlier this month, Walley details allegations that he says ultimately led to his resignation.

The former airport executive is suing for defamation after Piccolo told the Herald-Tribune Walley left his post because he made a “grave mistake.” At the time, Piccolo would not elaborate for the April 15, 2013, story.

As the director of development — earning $113,119 per year — Walley spent a decade and nearly $1 million to help land foreign flights and bring new air carriers to airport, which aside from a few seasonal Canadian flights, is international in name only.

Read more here.