Mendham Township police chief: I’ve been sexually harassed for years

Mendham Township's police chief alleges in a lawsuit he's been sexually harassed for years, with other township officials making lewd remarks and spreading rumors about his sexual habits.

At one point, Crawford alleges in a lawsuit described by the Daily Record, former Administrator Amey Upchurch asked him "How big is your monster?" The lawsuit also reportedly says Upchurch made comments suggesting he liked young girls, had an underage girlfriend and.or had a platonic relationship with his actual girlfriend.

The lawsuit names Upchurch as well as several members of the township committee and one former member.

But that former member — current Mendham Borough Administrator Richard Merkt — told NJ Advance Media in July he never heard any such allegations during his time with the committee. Merkt also said he believed Crawford was making the allegations as retaliation after he and other officials clashed over his handling of another lawsuit, one claiming the police department profiled young drivers.

Merkt said in July he was hearing the sexual harassment allegations, outlined at the time in a tort notice that can perched a lawsuit, for the first time.

Note: The July NJ Advance Media report was written by this article's author, Louis C. Hochman, during his previous employment with NJAM.