(AP) — An attorney has requested that a sheriff in southeast Nebraska be protected from questioning that could be used as evidence in an upcoming trial.

Attorney Vincent Valentino says Gage County Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson’s knowledge of the case involving Elliot Hawkins is limited.

Hawkins is suing four employees of the department after he was cleared of wrongdoing in an alleged rape case. Hawkins called the investigation reckless.

Hawkins’ attorney, Joy Shiffermiller, says her client is entitled to know what Gustafson said to the defendants. Gustafson is not named in the lawsuit.

Jennifer Valenta told authorities in 2012 that she fabricated her story of rape and inflicted injuries on herself. She has been sentenced to at least two years in prison.