Chandler Councilmember OD Harris filed a notice of claim against the City of Chandler in June 2026, marking the second such claim he has made against local governments. Harris alleges city officials maliciously targeted him without probable cause in connection with a 2024 criminal case involving damaged political signs, which he was acquitted of in January 2025, and is seeking $5 million to settle the claims, according to court documents.
Harris filed two notices of claim in June 2026, one against the City of Chandler and another against the City of Scottsdale, as a prerequisite to potential civil lawsuits, according to court documents and local reports. The claims stem from a 2024 criminal case in which Harris and his wife were accused of damaging political signs opposing his re-election campaign. Harris was acquitted of all sign-stealing-related charges on Jan. 20, 2025, in Phoenix Municipal Court, according to the *YourValley* Mesa/Chandler Independent.
Harris is seeking $5 million from each city to settle all claims arising from the investigation and prosecution.
In his notices of claim, Harris alleges that Chandler city officials “maliciously targeted” him without probable cause and that the investigation and prosecution were politically motivated efforts to damage his 2024 re-election bid. The documents state that Under Arizona law, a notice of claim must be filed before suing a public entity or employee, and Harris’s filings indicate his intent to pursue lawsuits if the cities do not settle, according to legal experts and court records.
Harris has publicly accused Chandler city staff and colleagues of conspiring to undermine his political standing by coordinating the timing of the sign-damage investigation, charging decisions, and related publicity to generate negative attention during the campaign season. He contends that these actions violated his civil rights and caused reputational and economic harm. Separate coverage notes that Harris is also suing individual colleagues for $5 million each, suggesting claims beyond the governmental entities themselves.
The City of Scottsdale responded to Harris’s notice of claim by stating the allegations are “without merit” and that it will “defend against them vigorously,” according to an official city statement. Chandler city officials have not publicly detailed their legal strategy but confirmed awareness of the claim filed against the city. The city’s Law Department, which handles risk management, city attorney, and prosecutor functions, is expected to coordinate Chandler’s response in consultation with the City Council, sources said.
Harris’s legal actions make him the second sitting Chandler council member to file a legal claim or lawsuit against the city. An earlier case involved a council member suing the City of Chandler over rumors that allegedly harmed her reputation. That lawsuit, reported in 2025, remains unresolved and highlights the rarity of elected officials pursuing civil litigation against their own municipal government.
The underlying criminal case originated from allegations that Harris and his wife were involved in damaging political signs opposing his 2024 re-election campaign. Chandler authorities conducted the investigation, while the City of Scottsdale handled prosecution of the misdemeanor charges. Harris’s acquittal in January 2025 followed a trial in Phoenix Municipal Court, with Harris and his supporters arguing the case lacked sufficient evidence. Critics, however, questioned his conduct despite the not guilty verdict.
The existence of two separate lawsuits or claims by sitting Chandler council members against their own city has raised questions about governance and political dynamics within the city. Harris’s case, directly tied to his election campaign, has intensified tensions among council members and complicated routine municipal operations, according to local political analysts and city insiders. The combination of these legal disputes contributes to ongoing scrutiny of internal communications, decision-making processes, and relationships among elected officials in Chandler.
Upcoming court dates related to Harris’s claims, as well as the earlier council member’s lawsuit, are part of the city’s legal calendar. These proceedings will require official responses, possible discovery, and public examination of the circumstances surrounding the investigations and allegations. City officials and legal representatives are preparing for potential litigation following the statutory response periods for the notices of claim.
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