GREEN GETS FOUR MONTHS FOR ALTERING DRUG-SCREEN RECORD

ASHEVILLE - A Buncombe County Superior Court judge on Thursday
harshly admonished county officials who trusted a convicted felon to
handle probation cases and administer drug tests.

During a sentencing hearing, Judge Dennis Winner criticized Mable
Green for "striking at what we do in this system" by falsifying a
drug-screen record. Her actions erode the public's confidence in the
criminal justice system, he said.

Green, 44, was sentenced on two felony counts of obstructing justice
while she worked at the Day Reporting Center. Last October, she
reported that a probationer tested negative for drugs, even though
the result was positive.

Winner handed Green a four-month prison term and 36 months of
probation. Winner also stated that as a probation condition, Green
isn't allowed to work for the government for three years.

But Winner also blamed the county for the incident.

"I fault whoever put her in that position with the record she has,"
he said. "It's hard for me to believe someone with her record could
be there."

Green's record includes both felony and misdemeanor charges for
falsifying documents such as money orders, checks and prescription
drug orders.

Green began at the Day Reporting Center under court-ordered community
service, but was later hired as a secretary. She was promoted to case
manger for the agency, which provides services such as counseling and
education for probationers. Green also administered drug tests to
people with substance-abuse problems.

On the witness stand, a half-dozen peers familiar with Green's work
described her as dedicated and compassionate.

Among them was the center's interim director, Mike Bradley, who
served as a board member for the agency when she was hired. Bradley
testified that he discussed Green's possible hire with then-director
J. Ray Ellingburg. Bradley said he was "aware" of at least one past
conviction, but couldn't recall the charge. He was also unable to
remember his own exact role in her hire.