Montevallo Mayor-elect Ben McCrory and newly elected city council members were sworn in before a standing-room-only crowd at City Hall Monday.

The ceremony continued as scheduled despite a lawsuit challenging McCrory’s eligibility to take office.

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

Last month, McCrory defeated Sears, 412-403, in the city’s mayoral runoff.

Because Sears is a practicing attorney in the court, Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb will appoint an outside judge to hear the case.

McCrory was sworn in alongside city council members Russell “Rusty” Nix, Willie Goldsmith, Gregory Pendleton, Hollie Cost and Denise “Dee” Woodham. Montevallo Municipal Court Judge Bruce Green administered the oath of office.