Officer indicted over computer accusation

CANTON (AP) -- A Canton police officer improperly used a state computer system to try to get a date, prosecutors alleged.
A Stark County grand jury indicted Steven Fowler on Friday on one count of unauthorized computer use. The grand jury did not indict him on a more serious charge of lying to investigators.
Fowler, 37, is accused of using the Ohio Law Enforcement Automated Data System in January of 2004 to track down the license plate number of a legal secretary in an unsuccessful attempt to take her on a date.
Suspicious co-workers of Fowler's alerted authorities.
Fowler had been fired in May 2004. An arbitrator said that action was too severe, and he was rehired in February and charged in August.
Fowler is on paid suspension.
Fowler's attorney, Charlene Selinsky Hardy, said there is no evidence to back up the charges against her client. She said she was surprised by the indictment.
"It's a travesty, and we will prevail," Hardy said. "Steven will prevail."