Drug treatment forgery

Spencer Walior, a former WSU student now residing in Lynnwood, was allowed “one more chance” March 17 to remain in the Whitman County drug court program after a hearing on a motion by the prosecutor’s office to have him removed.

The state in its report said Walior had violated terms of drug court by being arrested for drunken driving and hit and run in Pierce County last December and by forging monthly treatment reports required of participants in the program.

Walior was admitted to the drug treatment program after he was arrested in Pullman and charged with burglarizing the Utopia Smoke Shop in April of 2014. He reportedly told officers after his arrest he broke into the shop in an effort to pay off drug debts.

Defendants admitted to drug court agree to be convicted without trial on pending charges in the event they fail to complete the two-year program. The program requires monthly appearances in court with reports on treatment participation, and passing tests to show they have abstained from drug use.

Assistant Prosecutor Wendy Lierman told the court Walior had submitted forged treatment forms to the court for four months. The forged reports said he was successfully undergoing treatment. “He lied to Judge Frazier,” Lierman said.

Walior Friday admitted in court he forged the treatment reports he submitted to the court.

Walior, who had three months left to complete drug court, had been jailed after the prosecutor’s office learned about the alleged treatment forgeries. He was subsequently allowed release to the custody of his mother who said he was an addict.

Walior, who was ordered to return to court Friday for the hearing, told the court he didn’t wish his disease on anyone.

Judge Gary Libey, who noted Walior already has had his drug court term extended for prior violations, said he would give him one more chance to complete the program, but he extended it one more year.