URBANA, Ill. (AP) — A former girlfriend of Champaign Mayor Don Gerard claims he threatened to have the city attorney pursue legal action against her after they broke up.

The News-Gazette reports (http://bit.ly/XFuWVh ) that an attorney for Laura Huth said in court Thursday that Gerard left phone messages for Huth saying he planned to have the city attorney prosecute her for using a photo of him to promote a business she was involved in. Attorney Michael Antoline said that was one of several attempts to intimidate Huth.

Bruce Ratcliffe is the mayor's attorney. He called the claims "far-fetched at best."