Lawyer for federal drug agent acquitted in Ohio framing trial says he hopes to return to work

Cleared drug agent in Ohio hopes return to duty

CLEVELAND — The attorney for a federal drug agent acquitted of framing 17 suspects in a 2005 sting in Ohio says the agent hopes to return to regular duty soon.

Defense attorney Joel Kirkpatrick also said Monday that Agent Lee Lucas expects to be cleared in civil claims filed by victims of his paid informant’s made-up evidence.

Lucas was acquitted Friday in Cleveland federal court of all 18 charges that he helped the informant frame suspects. He’s been on administrative leave.

Jurors said they didn’t believe the informant, an ex-convict who once served time for manslaughter.

A lawyer for a framing victim who filed a civil lawsuit against Lucas says the acquittal won’t affect the civil cases. Attorney Kevin Durkin says the civil case benefits from a lower standard of proof than the criminal case.