BEAUFORT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - A Washington mayoral candidate and business owner has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and the current mayor.

Ellen Brabo filed the suit concerning bed and breakfast businesses.

The suit challenges the city’s 2024 change to the definition of “Bed and Breakfast,” claiming that the city and Mayor Donald Sadler enforced unconstitutional restrictions that unlawfully limit bed and breakfast operations.

The filing claims the city changed its definition without input from stakeholders, illegally banned outdoor events, restricted staffing to one part-time worker, stopped the sale of items, and imposed additional restrictions.

Violations alleged in the suit include First Amendment retaliation, due process violations, equal protection violations, state law

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