VIDALIA — A lawsuit alleging abuse by the Concordia Parish Sherrif’s Office in retaliation for legal filings by an inmate is slowly creeping along.

James Skipper, indicted on voter fraud charges — later dropped — for a 2004 election, filed a suit asking for $500,000 in damages in October 2006.

The suit was set to go before Judge Kathy Johnson Friday morning, but it was delayed until July 19.

In the suit, Skipper alleged he was subjected to physical and psychological abuse when he filed papers in October 2005 detailing an alleged secret deal brokered in 2003 with Judge Leo Boothe, Sherrif Randy Maxwell and District Attorney John Johnson.

The alleged 2003 deal was that Skipper, incarcerated on a drug conviction, would be released in exchange for the support of Maxwell from the black citizens of the parish in the then-upcoming Sherrif’s election, court documents said.

Skipper alleged after the 2005 papers were filed, he was taken from the prison yard at Rivers Correctional Center, handcuffed, shackled and his mouth duct-taped to keep him from talking, documents said.

He alleged all of this was done on Maxwell’s orders, documents said.

Skipper also alleged he was illegally transported to Angola prison that night, and was repeatedly pepper-sprayed when he asked to see his legal representation, documents said.

The suit claims Skipper was ordered transported out of the parish on back roads so no one would see him being taken, and when he asked, he was denied access to his heart medication.

Justin Connor, Skipper’s nephew, said Skipper has evidence to back his case, including the piece of duct tape allegedly used to cover his mouth and doctor’s reports.

“They said he (Skipper) was sent to Angola for discipline problems, but if you look at his prison records, there weren’t any complaints filed against him,” Connor said.

The suit seeks restitution for pain, suffering, mental anguish, damages and negligence.