The city Ethics Commission has dismissed a complaint against a councilman accused of improperly speaking about confidential legal proceedings to the media.

In July 2007, Councilman Rod Tam asked the commission to determine whether Councilman Charles K. Djou violated a section of the city Charter when he provided details to reporters in April 2007 about a $300 million sewer plan.

Tam alleged that Djou spoke with former Advertiser reporter John Brannon and current Advertiser reporter Diane Leone about plans to upgrade the city's sewer system to settle, in part, a lawsuit filed against the city by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency following a 2006 sewage spill.

Brannon now works as a spokesman for Mayor Mufi Hannemann. Leone was with the Honolulu Star-Bulletin when the complaint was filed.

The investigation determined Djou did not violate any rules.

"While Rod Tam's complaint was nothing more than typical City Hall politics at its worst, the public should at least take confidence that the City Ethics Commission's leadership is competent and fair," said Djou, in a news release. "I am always happy to let the public judge my ethics record against Rod Tam's."

Tam said he intends to re-file the complaint and submit more evidence.

"He's trying to turn around and put it on me, but the issue is not my actions, it's his," said Tam. "I'm not going to play politics like he does."

The dispute arose after the council's Executive Matters Committee voted behind closed doors in 2007 to approve the sewer plan and settle an expected federal lawsuit.

Djou said the public had a right to know about the sewer upgrades because they involved large amounts of taxpayer money and involved both the city and the EPA.