MIAMI (AP) - A former Miami city official claims he was wrongly fired after blowing the whistle on a scandal over construction projects.

Former capital improvements director Alatunbosun Aluko filed a grievance seeking five years pay, lost wages and benefits that could total $1 million. Aluko says he was let go after disclosures about workers allegedly inflating the scope of city construction projects for personal gain.

City officials say they were already aware of the problems and police are investigating. Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado says Aluko was let go because it was time for a change in the department.

Regalado campaigned on ending corruption in Miami. But charges were dropped against five of eight people arrested earlier this year on corruption charges.