Nevada lawsuit filed over 'GOPALIN' license plate

[July 19, 2011]  LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Nevada's motor vehicles director says he'll make the final decision on personalized license plates issued to state residents after a northern Nevada man filed a federal lawsuit alleging he was unconstitutionally blocked from obtaining a custom tag that says "GOPALIN."

Department of Motor Vehicles chief Bruce Breslow and a spokeswoman for the state attorney general said Monday that they can't comment on the lawsuit James Linlor filed July 15 in Reno's U.S. District Court. But they note that he was granted a "GOPALIN" plate in December.

Linlor's lawyer didn't immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

The lawsuit was first reported by the Las Vegas Sun.

It alleges discrimination because the state issued other politically inspired license plates, including "DMOCRAT," "AL GORE," "DEAN," "HILLARY" and "RONPAUL," before Linlor's choice was approved.

[Associated Press]

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