Mendes was acquitted of a third-degree-felony charge of abuse of official capacity and a second charge of abuse of official capacity was dropped by the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

A jury deliberated for five hours before rendering a not guilty verdict.

Mendes was indicted on the two charges in February, said Chief Assistant District Attorney Phil Grant, who heads the Public Integrity Unit (PIU) of the DA’s office.

The two charges stemmed from two separate instances of uses of federal surplus property, one being the use of generators and the other revolved around a utility truck and a John Deere lawnmower, said Grant.

Mendes was fired by the Oak Ridge North city council in December by a 3-2 vote over issues involving the Biofuels Power Corp. Finances, contracts, city equipment and purchases were cited as reasons for his termination, according to media reports.

Grant said cases like Mendes’, involving any kind of abuse or breach of public trust by officials are forwarded to the PIU to be investigated.

“After a thorough review of all the evidence in the case, a Grand Jury chose to indict Mr. Mendes for these charges. We presented those charges to a jury of his peers and we respect their verdict,” Grant said in a statement e-mailed to the Tribune.

“We believe that justice was done in this case and we will continue to investigate and prosecute those cases in which a Grand Jury decides that those in positions of responsibility in our county, city and local government have violated the public trust.”

The Magnolia City Council voted to hire Mendes May 17 to help fill the role of city administrator, a position left vacant after former city administrator Ryan Kelley resigned April 22 following a DWI arrest.

“From his explanation (Mendes’) to me, I got one side of the story, but the side I got, it was the outcome I expected,” said Magnolia Mayor Todd Kana. “I’m happy for him, I’m sure it’s a weight off his shoulders.”

Kana added that should the city decide to hire a full-time administrator in the future, Mendes would be a “good candidate” and is well-qualified for the position.

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