HOUSTON -- Lawmakers called for an investigation into what they considered "suspicious activity" by the Harris County Sheriff's Department, KPRC Local 2 reported Monday.

Two brothers claim the department spied on them because of a civil rights lawsuit they filed. State and local lawmakers are also questioning the surveillance.

"To me, it smacks of Gestapo tactics to be honest with you," state Sen. Rodney Ellis said.

Democratic lawmakers lined up to say something is wrong in our democracy if the Harris County Sheriff's Office spied on Eric and Sean Ibarra in the days leading up to a federal trial in October.

The brothers sued the sheriff's department after they were roughed up after witnessing a drug raid next door.

"We're not talking about whether this has to do with Democrats or Republicans. We're talking about the fact that any citizen could find themselves in the same position," state Rep. Ellen Cohen said.

"In this case, the sheriff's department took on the role of the CIA, but I guess you could call it the Harris County IA," state Rep. Garnet Coleman said.

The lawmakers sent a letter to state Attorney General Greg Abbott.

It said, "At this time, we believe an independent outside investigation is necessary to ensure that the sheriff's office is not routinely violating the civil rights of the very citizens he has sworn to protect. And we must ensure that our tax dollars are not going to pay for frivolous or illegal activity."

The sheriff's department is not confirming the existence of the surveillance or commenting on the case under the advice of the district attorney and of the grand jury.

The brothers want Harris County Sheriff Tommy Thompson to resign.

"We've tried our best to stand up for what we believe is right and that's what we're here for today and the message we'd like to deliver is everything we're doing here is in the name of justice. In the name of standing up for what's right," Erik Ibarra said.

An attorney for the brothers said her office expects to file another lawsuit against the county soon.