GRETNA, La. — Former New Orleans Saints security director Geoffrey Santini has withdrawn his lawsuit against the club because the team's lawyers are sending the matter to an arbitration judge.

The motion filed on Thursday says Saints attorneys waited more than a week after the lawsuit was initially filed to advise Santini they intended to invoke an arbitration clause in Santini's employment contract rather than fight his lawsuit in civil district court.

In the lawsuit, which was filed April 30, Santini claimed the Saints attempted to cover up both the theft and improper distribution of prescription Vicodin pills at the team's facility.

Santini's lawyer says going to arbitration blocks either side from publicly discussing the case.