Richard Bohling, former Albany County attorney, pleaded not guilty last Wednesday to counts of wrongful taking or disposing of property he faced stemming from allegations he misused public funds for personal electronics.
Bohling faces four counts of obtaining property under false pretenses, one count of wrongful taking or disposing of property and one count of submitting false vouchers, as well as three misdemeanors.
In the arraignment hearing the prosecution also requested an amendment to the terms of Bohling’s bond, allowing Bohling to leave the state without court orders, so long as he provides a week’s notice.
Bohling still faces up to 10 years imprisonment for each of the obtaining property under false pretenses charges and the wrongful taking or disposal of property charges. He also faces imprisonment for up to two years if found guilty of the submitting false vouchers charge.
The three misdemeanor charges Bohling faces are official misconduct, wrongful appropriation of public property and misuse of office, and he could be imprisoned up to a year and fined $2,750.
The Wyoming Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) began an investigation into Bohling on March 17, 2014 after receiving information from Sheriff David O’Malley.
A former employee at the Albany County Attorney’s office wrote a document accusing him of misusing funds, which ultimately led to the investigation.
“Richard had been using office funds to buy personal items for him and his family for a long time, and that the spending had gotten worse,” the employee said in the document.
She then mentioned a confidential source accusing Bohling of purchasing tablet computers for his family.
Jackie Gonzales, Albany County clerk, did a “quiet audit” of the Albany County Attorney office receipts and vouchers, and found that $19,936.34 of the expenditures was questionable.
At least 181 items, valued at $14,690.68, on this list were never seen in the office by the confidential source.
DCI executed a search warrant on May 1 and found numerous cameras and accessories in the office.
