A summary judgement has been issued in favor of former Orange Police Director Hakim Sims.
ORANGE -- A lawsuit alleging that the former director of the Orange police department sexually harassed a lieutenant has been dismissed.
In a summary judgment issued Aug. 5, Superior Court Judge Thomas Vena ruled in favor of former Orange Police Director Hakim Sims in the 2015 lawsuit filed against him by veteran city police Lt. Deborah Upchurch.
The decision was based on written materials provided by both sides, and did not go to trial.
"My client is relieved and happy that his good name has been restored," said Gina Mendola, who represented Sims in the suit. Vena found that there was "no legal basis...(and) no proof" for charges to be filed against Sims, Mendola said of the ruling.
"Legally, the judge was right on."
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Mendola said Upchurch's related suits against the city and police department were also dismissed.
Eldridge Hawkins, Upchurch's attorney, said the ruling is not the end of the legal battle, as the lieutenant plans to appeal the decision.
"The judge stated his interpretation of the law...of course, we disagree with it," Hawkins said in a phone interview.
Among other allegations, Upchurch claimed Sims repeatedly made suggestive and inappropriate remarks and advances toward her, including saying she "reminds him of a porn star."
Sims has denied the allegations, calling them "patently false." He filed a $2.5 million lawsuit against Upchurch and the city, alleging that the suit filed by the lieutenant was part of a coordinated, politically-motivated campaign to defame him.
That suit is still pending, the attorneys said.
Sims was suspended during an investigation into the allegations, but Mendola said he since retired from the department in good standing.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.