Claiming his civil rights were violated by the DeKalb City Council, a DeKalb alderman said he took his case to a federal attorney July 1.

Seventh Ward Aldrman Mark Powell said he met with Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Syfert. Syefert would not comment on the matter, saying his office does not release information about its clients.

Powell said he took a videotape of the meeting to the federal attorney “to see what unconstitutional actions the council conducted.”

“I was denied my right to speak,” Powell said, referring to the June 27 DeKalb City Council meeing. “It’s a civil rights matter.”

The council voted to expel Powell after he interrupted testimony presented by DeKalb businessman John Castle. The expulsion provoked Powell’s disruptive behavior in the council. Powell said he objected because he missed a closed executive session after the meeting.

“We have the ability to provide an orderly meeting,” DeKalb Mayor Greg Sparrow said. “If Powell’s going to continue to be disruptive, he will get expelled. He would have had his opportunity to respond (to Castle’s speech).”

Rick Turner, a DeKalb corporate counsel, said “Section 2.13, subparagraph D of the city code proscribes rules that aldermen by a two-thirds vote may expel an alderman for disorderly conduct. This means for the entire meeting, including the closed session.