Former Albany County Attorney Pleads Not Guilty

Former Albany County Attorney Richard Bohling pleaded not guilty today to charges alleging that he misused county funds to purchase camera equipment, electronics, a membership to a local rifle range, and other items for his own use.

Bohling made the not guilty pleas at his arraignment before Judge John R. Perry. Judge Perry’s offices are in Gillette, so he presided over the proceeding via video monitor.

Bohling faces charges of four felony counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretenses, one felony count of Wrongful Taking or Disposing of Property and one felony count of Submitting False Vouchers.

Obtaining Property by False Pretenses is punishable of up to ten years imprisonment, up to a $10,000 fine, or both. Wrongful Taking or Disposing of Property is also punishable of up to ten years imprisonment, up to a $10,000, or both. Submitting False Vouchers is punishable of up to two years imprisonment, up to a $2,000 fine, or both.

Misdemeanor charges include Official Misconduct, Wrongful Appropriation of Public Property, and Misuse of Office.

According to court documents filed in Albany County District Court, a “quiet audit” of the spending in the Albany County Attorney’s Office was conducted, and a list was created of 196 items purchased between August 3, 2011 and November 5, 2013. Out of those items, only 15 could be identified by a confidential source as being used in the office. The remaining 181 items on the list totaled about $14,690.68.

Prosecutors say that Bohling had possession of these items himself and did not bring them to the office until after he received word of a possible investigation in April of 2014.

Bohling was first elected into the office in 2002. He did not seek re-election last year.

A trial date has not yet been set.