Attorney Mark Kawata said Leong was on the Mainland and had made no decision about whether he would stay on the seven-member commission while the charge is pending.

Kawata indicated that Leong would waive his right to a jury trial and instead have the case tried before a judge if it reaches that point.

Trial was tentatively scheduled for Nov. 4 in District Court. The charge carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Deputy City Prosecutor Randal Lee would not say how much Leong is alleged to have donated to Harris inappropriately.

Harris has said he is pleased with Leong’s performance on the commission and will not ask him to step down while the charge is pending.

Officials say no other Honolulu police commissioner has been charged with a crime while serving on the panel.

City Councilman Charles Djou has asked that Leong recuse himself from all commission activities until the case is settled.

And other council members are considering whether to seek an outside ruling on whether Leong should remain on the panel.

Leong, a vice president of Royal Contracting Co., was appointed to the commission by Harris in 1996 and has served as its chairman.

The commission is a panel of civilians appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The commissioners hire and may remove the chief of police, decide whether public money should be used to defend officers accused of wrongdoing, and review citizen allegations of police misconduct.

The City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved Harris’ latest nominee to the commission, veteran Honolulu entertainer Jimmy Borges.

Reach Johnny Brannon at jbrannon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8070.