Other LanguagesSPOKANE - Felony drug charges today were filed against a former Spokane County medical examiner who prosecutors say maintained a marijuana growing operation in his home and stole prescription medications from his job.
In papers filed in Spokane County Superior Court, prosecutors with the Attorney General's Criminal Justice Division accused George Richard Lindholm of two counts of drug possession.
According to documents filed in support of the charges, a joint investigation conducted by the Washington State Patrol, the Quad Cities Drug Task Force and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration turned up evidence of the illicit drugs in trash left out for collection.
A subsequent search of Lindholm's home turned up additional evidence.
The investigation was launched after Lindholm's former wife told authorities that he regularly brought drugs home that he obtained through his job in the Spokane County morgue, prosecutors say.
Lindholm resigned as county Medical Examiner in August, after drug agents raided his home.
If convicted, Lindholm faces a standard sentence of up to 90 days in jail.
The Spokane County Prosecutor's Office asked the Attorney General to take the case because of potential conflicts of interest arising from Lindholm's professional association with numerous county prosecutors in Eastern Washington.
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