Eastern Wa. crime cases allegedly mishandled by laboratory manager

CHENEY - The former manager of the State Crime Lab in Cheney is under investigation for allegations he mishandled at least five case files.

Washington State Patrol spokesman Robert Calkins said former manager Kevin Fortney claimed to have completed laboratory case work that was not actually done. Investigators found no evidence to suggest the alleged misconduct led to any wrongful convictions and cases previously investigated are older cases, Calkins said.

According to Calkins, the five cases already investigated stem from investigations in Eastern Washington and many of the cases involve arson. The state patrol will be notifying the individual agencies whose case was allegedly mishandled.

Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones said he has not been contacted by the state patrol and does not know if the county has any cases included in the investigation.

Calkins said the investigation began when employees working for Fortney raised concerns to the Crime Laboratory Division Commander. A completed investigation by the State Patrol Office of Professional Standards (OPS) determined there was enough evidence to terminate Fortney.

Fortney resigned and the investigation stopped.

"There might be more but the OPS investigation stopped," Calkins said.

A senior staff member from the lab is investigating how the mishandling occurred and if a change in the process is needed.

"We continue to have confidence in the work of our front-line scientists and supervisors in Cheney and at our other labs throughout the state," said James Tarver, state patrol Crime Lab division commander. "These allegations involved a single laboratory manager and do not appear to reflect upon any of our other personnel."

Calkins said there is no indication at this time of a problem with any evidence. A state patrol sergeant will audit all the evidence in the lab.