A police lieutenant in Essex County who has a pending lawsuit against Caldwell and its police chief was fired Wednesday after a hearing officer found he violated departmental policies, rules and regulations.

Michael Geary claims in court papers that he legally changed his name from Michael Fung when he learned superiors were calling him racist slurs behind his back, according to the Superior Court lawsuit, filed in 2017.

In a special meeting Wednesday night, the borough council voted 4-0 to fire Geary after a hearing officer hired by the borough found him guilty of conduct unbecoming a superior officer, neglect of duty and failure to perform his duties, Geary’s attorney said Thursday.

“That termination will immediately be appealed to the Law Division of the Superior Court, where we believe the termination will summarily (and) expeditiously be vacated,” Geary’s attorney, Patrick Toscano, said in an email.

“The lieutenant will be returned back to work, with back pay,” Toscano said. "Curiously, Caldwell unilaterally hired and paid the hearing officer, which is anathema to an objective municipal trial from the onset – in fact, it is just short of absurd.”

In his lawsuit, Geary claims his “on the job nightmare” began when he was hired in June 2004 as the first Asian American in the department. He claims in court documents that he was abused, harassed and persecuted for more than a decade before.

The lawsuit accuses Police Chief James Bongiorno of creating a hostile work environment wrought with favoritism, retaliation and racial discrimination.

“Bongiorno has despised (Geary) and many other Caldwell police officers he deems to be a threat,” states the suit.

Last month, two women serving as police officers in the borough settled lawsuits that alleged Bongiorno made demeaning and sexual remarks to them over the years.

Jessica Luszcz, 32, and Candice Marinaro, 46, settled for about $100,000 each, according to the terms of a confidential agreement obtained by NJ Advance Media.

Geary’s attorney said his lawsuit is now being amended to include wrongful termination and suggested Geary will prevail in court.

“The precipitous and ill-advised action in terminating the lieutenant by the governing body in Caldwell will more than likely come back to haunt them, big time, both financially and pragmatically,” the attorney said.

Caldwell Mayor John Kelley said Thursday he could not comment on Geary’s termination due to the pending lawsuit.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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