BRIDGETON -- A Cumberland County detective who had been named in a sexual harassment suit has been promoted, officials have confirmed.

A Cumberland County detective who had been named in a harassment suit has been promoted, officials said. (File Photo)

Det. Sgt. George Chopek was elevated to the rank of lieutenant effective Aug.1, according to Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae.

"A promotional selection committee for the position of lieutenant of detectives was created and was composed of my Chief (of County Investigators/Detectives) Richard Necelis, leaders from other law enforcement agencies within Cumberland County and a leader from Camden County," Webb-McRae said in an emailed statement.

"After a fair and impartial process, which evaluated all the candidates on all relevant categories, including a resume review, job performance, oral interview, disciplinary history, and seniority, George Chopek was one of two candidates promoted to the rank of lieutenant on Aug.1, 2016. Based the recommendation of the committee, I stand by the decision to promote Lieutenant Chopek."

Another detective in the prosecutor's office, Lynn Wehling, sued Cumberland County in 2013 claiming she had been subject to inappropriate comments about her gender and sexual orientation from a colleague identified as Chopek, according to court records.

According to Wehling's claim, Chopek was her immediate supervisor in the Cumberland County Narcotics Bureau at the time the alleged harassment took place.

In April, the Cumberland County Board of Chosen Freeholders voted to pay Wehling $275,000 to settle her suit. Wehling had originally sought $2.5 million in the case.

Cumberland County Solicitor Ted Baker said at the time, "This is not the happiest of results, but one we feel is a reasonable solution and most appropriate at this time.

Baker added that given how much the case could have cost the county in legal fees had it gone to trial, the settlement was the most "cost-efficient" move.

The county had no comment Tuesday on Chopek's promotion.

Wehling is still employed by the prosecutor's office, Webb-McRae said.

Chopek was one of several members of the prosecutor's office promoted Aug. 1.

Others included Michael Donato promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Ronald Henry, Raymond Cavagnaro and Brian McManus were promoted to the rank of sergeant, according to Webb-McRae.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.