Hearings in a court battle between former Victoria Police heavyweights Christine Nixon and Paul Mullett have concluded, with Supreme Court judge Terry Forrest retiring to consider his decision.
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Mr Mullett, formerly secretary of the powerful Police Association, is seeking a multimillion-dollar settlement from Ms Nixon who, in her role as chief commissioner, suspended Mr Mullett from Victoria Police in 2007.
Mr Mullett claims his treatment was malicious and the subsequent media attention cruelled his chances of getting another job with the same seniority, power and pay.
He further suggested through his lawyer on Tuesday that Ms Nixon planted reports in the media that were hostile to him before she suspended him.
Former deputy commissioner Kieran Walshe and Superintendent Wayne Taylor are also defendants with Ms Nixon in the lawsuit.
Both men were characterised by barrister Andrew Panna, QC, acting for Mr Mullett, as Ms Nixon's loyal followers who "carried out her bidding" in a deliberate plot to remove Mr Mullett.
Mr Mullett was suspended by Ms Nixon in November 2007 after he was alleged to have interfered in a murder investigation.
He was charged in July 2008 with providing false evidence and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Those charges were eventually dropped due to lack of evidence.
Last month, Mr Panna told the court that Mr Mullett resigned as union secretary in 2009 and that his suspension had "effectively destroyed" his career.
But Ms Nixon's legal team told the court that she had acted on independent legal advice to suspend Mr Mullett, after forming "a reasonable belief" he had conducted a criminal offence.
In closing arguments, Ms Nixon's barrister, Rowena Orr, QC, also said Mr Mullett could not be compensated for action that resulted from a misuse of office.
Justice Forrest will hand down his finding at a later date.
