News (Media Awareness Project) - US OK: Ex-Lab Director Pleads Guilty In Falsified Evidence Case |
Title: | US OK: Ex-Lab Director Pleads Guilty In Falsified Evidence Case |
Published On: | 2003-07-19 |
Source: | Oklahoman, The (OK) |
Fetched On: | 2008-01-19 19:00:47 |
EX-LAB DIRECTOR PLEADS GUILTY IN FALSIFIED EVIDENCE CASE
A man facing a racketeering charge for preparing fake exhibits for the
court pleaded guilty to a lesser charge Friday in return for a suspended
sentence. Joe Clay Bouldin, 49, the former director of Bulldog Laboratory,
pleaded guilty to two counts of preparation of false evidence for the
court. As part of a plea agreement with the district attorney, he was given
a two-year suspended sentence on each count, to run consecutively.
In an unrelated case, he received a one-year suspended sentence on a
conviction of making a false statement to obtain unemployment, putting him
on probation for a total of five years.
If convicted on the racketeering charge, Bouldin could have faced 10 years
in prison and could have been forced to forfeit his assets.
Bouldin and Joy Lynn Lippe, 33, a counselor at the Oklahoma City drug and
alcohol testing laboratory, were arrested as part of an undercover police
sting operation. Charges against Lippe are pending and prosecutors expect
her case to be settled soon.
The district attorney accused Bouldin and Lippe of providing negative urine
and hair drug-test reports in exchange for money, sex and drugs.
The laboratory, located in the Investors Capital Building next to the
Oklahoma County office building and courthouse, contracted with Oklahoma
County District Court and 38 businesses.
Their arrests led to an investigation by District Attorney Wes Lane, who
feared the fake drug and alcohol tests were used in Oklahoma County
criminal and domestic cases.
Assistant District Attorney Stephen Alcorn said no one was convicted based
on a faulty drug test from Bulldog Laboratory.
Alcorn estimated about a half dozen defendants might have gotten lighter
sentences because of a falsified drug test report.
In drug court, Alcorn said, about two dozen defendants began testing
positive once they were ordered to go to a different laboratory during the
investigation into Bulldog Laboratory.
Drug court is a program where drug defendants are offered court-monitored
treatment and counseling instead of prosecution of their charges and
possible prison time.
Defense attorney Beau Williams accused the district attorney of "seriously
over-charging" Bouldin.
"But after further investigation, in all fairness, Mr. Steve Alcorn .. took
a fresh look and realized it was overcharged and we were able to work out
an agreement that was more appropriate," Williams said.
Alcorn disagreed, saying the proper charges were filed against Bouldin.
"In drug cases, the state is faced with a balance between punishment and
rehabilitation," Alcorn said. "We had to consider that Mr. Bouldin has gone
through extensive treatment and the cost of a prolonged trial where experts
have to testify to complex laboratory procedures and the cost of a
recovering drug addict reliving a painful time in their lives.
"It was determined this serves the best interest of the state and Mr.
Bouldin. He will have a felony conviction and will not have access to
people in that stage of their recovery again."
Bouldin told The Oklahoman he was addicted to alcohol for 25 years but has
now been sober for just over a year after attending a three-month inpatient
treatment program.
He said he was never addicted to drugs but could not say he had never
smoked marijuana.
Bouldin now lives in rural Seminole County and works for a brick
manufacturing company in quality control.
"I have turned several people to Jesus Christ and am active in my church,"
Bouldin said.
Williams complimented Bouldin for making positive changes in his life.
"Mr. Bouldin, since this incident, has completely turned his life around,"
Williams said. "He voluntarily went into three months of drug and alcohol
treatment where he learned life skills that not only helped him with the
issues here (in court) but has helped him put his own personal life together."
In July, Bouldin received a special commendation at the rehabilitation
center for his year-long sobriety and for working with other people to
overcome their addictions, his attorney said.
A man facing a racketeering charge for preparing fake exhibits for the
court pleaded guilty to a lesser charge Friday in return for a suspended
sentence. Joe Clay Bouldin, 49, the former director of Bulldog Laboratory,
pleaded guilty to two counts of preparation of false evidence for the
court. As part of a plea agreement with the district attorney, he was given
a two-year suspended sentence on each count, to run consecutively.
In an unrelated case, he received a one-year suspended sentence on a
conviction of making a false statement to obtain unemployment, putting him
on probation for a total of five years.
If convicted on the racketeering charge, Bouldin could have faced 10 years
in prison and could have been forced to forfeit his assets.
Bouldin and Joy Lynn Lippe, 33, a counselor at the Oklahoma City drug and
alcohol testing laboratory, were arrested as part of an undercover police
sting operation. Charges against Lippe are pending and prosecutors expect
her case to be settled soon.
The district attorney accused Bouldin and Lippe of providing negative urine
and hair drug-test reports in exchange for money, sex and drugs.
The laboratory, located in the Investors Capital Building next to the
Oklahoma County office building and courthouse, contracted with Oklahoma
County District Court and 38 businesses.
Their arrests led to an investigation by District Attorney Wes Lane, who
feared the fake drug and alcohol tests were used in Oklahoma County
criminal and domestic cases.
Assistant District Attorney Stephen Alcorn said no one was convicted based
on a faulty drug test from Bulldog Laboratory.
Alcorn estimated about a half dozen defendants might have gotten lighter
sentences because of a falsified drug test report.
In drug court, Alcorn said, about two dozen defendants began testing
positive once they were ordered to go to a different laboratory during the
investigation into Bulldog Laboratory.
Drug court is a program where drug defendants are offered court-monitored
treatment and counseling instead of prosecution of their charges and
possible prison time.
Defense attorney Beau Williams accused the district attorney of "seriously
over-charging" Bouldin.
"But after further investigation, in all fairness, Mr. Steve Alcorn .. took
a fresh look and realized it was overcharged and we were able to work out
an agreement that was more appropriate," Williams said.
Alcorn disagreed, saying the proper charges were filed against Bouldin.
"In drug cases, the state is faced with a balance between punishment and
rehabilitation," Alcorn said. "We had to consider that Mr. Bouldin has gone
through extensive treatment and the cost of a prolonged trial where experts
have to testify to complex laboratory procedures and the cost of a
recovering drug addict reliving a painful time in their lives.
"It was determined this serves the best interest of the state and Mr.
Bouldin. He will have a felony conviction and will not have access to
people in that stage of their recovery again."
Bouldin told The Oklahoman he was addicted to alcohol for 25 years but has
now been sober for just over a year after attending a three-month inpatient
treatment program.
He said he was never addicted to drugs but could not say he had never
smoked marijuana.
Bouldin now lives in rural Seminole County and works for a brick
manufacturing company in quality control.
"I have turned several people to Jesus Christ and am active in my church,"
Bouldin said.
Williams complimented Bouldin for making positive changes in his life.
"Mr. Bouldin, since this incident, has completely turned his life around,"
Williams said. "He voluntarily went into three months of drug and alcohol
treatment where he learned life skills that not only helped him with the
issues here (in court) but has helped him put his own personal life together."
In July, Bouldin received a special commendation at the rehabilitation
center for his year-long sobriety and for working with other people to
overcome their addictions, his attorney said.
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