Posted 1/10/01 One of two charges dropped against former Harris mayor One of two charges filed against former Harris Mayor Dwight Engler was dropped as he appeared in court for a hearing Jan. 3. The charge of a public official receiving unauthorized compensation was dismissed against Engler, after his attorney challenged for lack of probable cause. The other charge brought by the county of permitting false claims against the government was found to have probable cause by Judge James Clifford. Before making a decision on the validity of the charges, the judge also lessened the charge of a public officer receiving unauthorized compensation to a misdemeanor, rather than a felony as originally charged. The judge dropped the charge of unauthorized compensation, saying that the city of Harris does have a ìloose policyî of compensating city employees for work completed outside of their normal duties. He did find probable cause with the charge of permitting false claims, saying Engler allegedly billed the city for work under a different name, which is described under the law as fraudulent. Englerís attorney entered a not guilty plea to the charge. The case will now continue to a jury trial on Feb. 20. Original charges were filed against Engler on Sept. 11, 2000. According to the complaint, the charges concerned repair work that Engler had completed for a fire department vehicle, which was then allegedly billed to the city under a different name, for a total of $160. ©Post Review