A retired Lee County judge has ruled that Montevallo Mayor Ben McCrory can stay in office.

McCrory has yet to see a copy of Circuit Judge Robert M. Harper’s order, which was handed down Wednesday. Harper ruled in favor of McCrory in an election challenge filed by former city attorney Steven Sears, McCrory’s mayoral opponent.

McCrory defeated Sears, 412-403, in the city’s mayoral runoff last October.

Sears filed a lawsuit in Shelby County Circuit Court, citing McCrory failed to follow the state’s campaign finance reporting requirements.

McCrory said he will review the order Thursday morning. He hopes Harper’s ruling will dispel all false accusations.