CHANDLER, Ariz. — A case against Chandler Vice Mayor OD Harris for damaging a single political sign has been dismissed.
A Chandler police report alleges that Harris and his wife were involved in damaging an opposition sign in July. Harris and his wife denied involvement in the matter.
The case was submitted to the Scottsdale City Prosecutor's Office for review. A spokesperson for the City of Scottsdale said that the City Prosecutor's Office filed a criminal complaint against Harris in the case in the San Marcos Justice Court earlier this month.
The justice court dismissed the complaint. Court records provided by Harris indicate that the case was dismissed because "The State lacks probable cause" to support charges against the defendant. The court ordered the case to be dismissed without prejudice, meaning the case could be refiled.
The Scottsdale spokesperson said the Scottsdale City Prosecutor's Office "Disagrees with the dismissal and is currently weighing what legal remedies or options to pursue."
Harris and his wife, Elizabeth Ward, told the I-Team in an interview last week that they think the investigation is politically motivated and that it went too far.
"I feel that I have been discriminated on," Harris said. "And I feel like I have been treated very unfairly."
Harris also filed a complaint about the officer involved in the case against him and asked the Chandler city manager's office to investigate other issues related to the police department and city council.
Last week, a Chandler spokesperson said the complaint Harris filed against the officer will be sent to another agency for review.
Harris has already been re-elected to his position on Chandler City Council.
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