Pima County attorneys decided to dismiss felony theft charges against former UA Interfraternity Council president Robert Medler as they continue to investigate the viability of their case.

“”Whether we seek an indictment or not depends on further investigation,”” said Pima County Chief Criminal Deputy David Berkman. “”At this time there’s little else I can say.””

Medler, a political science senior, was scheduled to appear at Pima County Courthouse Thursday, after his initial appearance on July 7; however, the court appearance was dropped when prosecutors balked for reasons they would not discuss with the Wildcat.

Medler was arrested last month on one count of theft by misrepresentation, relating to over $18,000 in unauthorized charges to Interfraternity Council credit cards spanning from March to June.

Investigators latched onto the illegal purchases after Interfraternity Council officials noticed irregularities on the organization’s bank statement, leading them to search Medler’s residence.

The purchases turned up by police – which Medler said began to “”snowball”” once they began – ranged from a $1,500 notebook computer to camping gear.

Medler was also questioned by police about large cash advances, which he refused to speak about in further detail, according to court records.

The theft charge is a Class 3 felony in Arizona, which can yield up to nine years in prison.

Medler, as well as Interfraternity Council representatives, failed to return phone messages related to this story by press time.

Misuse of funds by Arizona student organization heads has not been unprecedented this year.

In Phoenix, a similar story played as county prosecutors and civil litigators continued to negotiate the case against former Arizona Students’ Association Executive Director Maceo Brown, who allegedly embezzled over $200,000 from the ASA budget since the beginning of his tenure in 2001.

Ryan Anderson, counsel for ASA, said that the civil lawsuit is currently awaiting a 30-day extension, time during which Brown must file a response to the complaint.

The litigation might likely conjoin with future criminal prosecution against Brown, which could result in jail time, according to Anderson.

In Phoenix, criminal prosecutor Ted Noyes agreed with Anderson but backed off from public comment under the same lines that former Interfraternity Council President Medler’s prosecutors invoked.

“”The investigation is ongoing,”” Noyes said. “”There’s not much I can publicly say.””