A New Jersey appeals court is considering a lawsuit by a fired county prosecutor who claims he was the victim of political retribution in 2010, possibly originating from within Gov. Chris Christie’s administration.

Tuesday’s hearing comes as Christie continues to deal with a political payback scandal over lane closings near a bridge to New York. Federal prosecutors and a legislative committee are investigating.

Ben Barlyn (BAHR’-lynn) alleges he was wrongly fired as a Hunterdon County assistant prosecutor after he complained to a superior that a 43-count indictment against three county employees had been dropped for political reasons.

Barlyn claims a member of Christie’s transition team was mentioned in the case, though he wasn’t indicted.

Christie has denied any role in the dismissal.

(AP)