BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio -- Charges were dropped Friday for one of three men accused in a celebrity surrogate scandal.

Bruce Callarik, the son of the Bridgeport mayor, faced the least severe charge: one count of receiving stolen property.

Callarik, along with two local police chiefs, was charged in a conspiracy to take items from a woman who acted as a surrogate mother for the twins of Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick. Callarik was accused of setting up a meeting to facilitate the sale of those items.

Special prosecutor Shawn Hervey said it would be better to dismiss the charge against Callarik and use him as a witness so he can cooperate fully and openly with the ongoing investigation.

"I'd rather have him there as a witness than a defendant," Hervey said. "I think it will help more that way."

Because of the dismissal, Callarik will have to testify in the case pending against his own son-in-law, Bridgeport Police Chief Chad Dojack.

"Mr. Callarik did agree that he will stay in the jurisdiction and that he will testify truthfully in trial not for or against anyone, but truthfully," Callarik's attorney, Charlie Bean said.

Dojack stepped aside as Bridgeport chief while he deals with the charges. He is accused of conspiring to break into the home in order to take items that could be sold to tabloid publications. His trial is set for Jan. 12.

The third man charged, Martins Ferry Chief Barry Carpenter, is suspended from his position as police chief and faces felony charges. He is accused of trying to sell items stolen from the surrogate's home. His trial is set for Nov. 16.

Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage as details become available.