The Monterey County District Attorney's office has dropped the hot potato that's been burning up the Seaside Police Department for the past several months.

Lack of evidence means there will be no criminal charges filed against Officer Barry Pasquarosa, who was accused of harassing Code Enforcement Officer Vanessa Alcaraz, the D.A.'s office reported.

The city of Seaside is still conducting an internal investigation into the matter, which blew up in early August, when SSPD Chief Steve Cercone was put on administrative leave.

Cercone later alleged that City Administrator Ray Corpuz tried to interfere with the investigation of the Alcaraz matter, and placed him on leave in retaliation for handing the case to the D.A.

Interim Chief Stephen Willis is filling in while Cercone is on leave. The state Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training has criticized the way Seaside instated Willis, who at the time had not gone through proper vetting to serve as chief.