Houston-area attorney Bob Thomas will continue to represent fired Port Arthur Police Det. Mickey Sterling in continued arbitration hearings.

Thomas and the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas parted ways at the beginning of the new year, he said, adding that he would keep the case and represent Sterling in the scheduled four-day hearing.

The hearing will continue from March 13-16 at an undetermined location, Thomas said.

Sterling, a veteran officer with the department, was one of five officers placed on administrative leave in June after Det. Elie Van Horn, citing the Texas Whistleblower Act, filed an affidavit against them.

Van Horn’s allegations ranged from obstruction or retaliation and misuse of official information to official oppression involving the five fellow officers.

Sterling was placed on indefinite leave, two officers were reinstated, one retired and one resigned.

Three days of arbitration hearings took place in November with Thomas representing Sterling and Bettye Lynn the attorney representing the city.

Don B. Hayes served as arbitrator.