LEBANON — A former high-ranking city employee accused of making threats against Lebanon officials he blamed for the criminal investigation of his wife likely has struck a deal to have the charge dismissed.

        Walter Biggs, who is scheduled to appear in Lebanon Municipal Court Monday, has agreed to enter a diversion program that calls for dismissal of a misdemeanor charge of inducing panic if he complies with court-ordered conditions, his lawyer said Friday.

        “I don't think he would be found guilty of this. But, he wants as little to do with court as possible,” attorney William Kaufman said.

        Mr. Biggs, 54, who lost his job as second-in-command of the Lebanon telecommunications department, was accused of making verbal threats against City Attorney Mark Yurich and others on March 7.

        It was the same day a special prosecutor was appointed to investigate possi ble criminal wrongdoing in the early retirement buyouts of Mr. Biggs' wife, former City Auditor Debbie Biggs, and two other employees.

        Circumstances in the case made a conviction questionable, Mr. Kaufman said.

        Mr. Biggs had his door shut with two colleagues in the room when he went into a tirade that was overheard by another employee, Mr. Kaufman said. He denies threatening anyone.

        “The most tragic thing is that his remarks, whatever they were, were intended to be private with those people that were in room with him,” Mr. Kaufman said.

        “He was simply speaking loudly enough that it carried, and somebody was eavesdropping. All this is a result of somebody overhearing a conversation they had no business hearing.”

        Mr. Kaufman said conditions of the diversion will be determined by the judge on Monday, and are likely to include an order barring Mr. Biggs from any contact with city employees.

        He would have to comply with any conditions for at least six months or possibly one year before the charge would be thrown out. In the meantime, Mr. Biggs is appealing his firing, Mr. Kaufman said.

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