KGO-AM 810 has fired host Bernie Ward, who was indicted on child porn charges in December, but he still might return to the air.

Ward was suspended immediately after the charges surfaced, and KGO’s talkative hosts have been ordered to not talk about the case. Now, according to ABC7’s Dan Noyes, Ward was fired at the end of December.

But KGO-AM General Manager Mickey Luckoff says he believes Ward’s explanation that he downloaded and traded child porn as research for a book: “Technically, it’s against the law. He admitted what he did. There’s no reason to believe he’s a pedophile.” Ward and Luckoff plan to meet after Ward’s next court appearance on Thursday, Jan. 24, and he may return to the air after that — even before a possible trial ends.

Meanwhile, Ward has waived his right to remain silent and is discussing a variety of topics (it’s like listening to his show) at the “Support Bernie Ward” Web site.