Embattled Encinitas councilman who faced felony charges could have case dismissed

Encinitas City Councilman Luke Shaffer, who was charged with assaulting a resident during a parking dispute, could see the criminal case dismissed if he follows the terms of a diversion agreement reached this week.

Shaffer, 45, initially faced felony charges that included assault and hit-and-run for allegedly reversing his truck into the resident's trash cans in July, damaging a trash bin and striking the resident's hands in the process.

Last month, a judge reduced the felony assault count to a misdemeanor and dismissed another charge related to allegations that he used his position on the council to threaten the resident.

On Monday, Shaffer was granted misdemeanor diversion, meaning that the case could be dismissed entirely if he completes certain terms over several months. Those terms