Doug Williams Polygraph Trial Discussion Thread

[George W. Maschke]

I regret to report that Doug Williams has been indicted. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the news this afternoon:

http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/owner-polygraph-indicted-allegedly-training-customers-lir-during-federally-administered

Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 14, 2014

Owner of 'Polygraph.com' Indicted for Allegedly Training Customers to Lie During Federally Administered Polygraph Examinations

A former Oklahoma City law enforcement officer and owner of "Polygraph.com" has been indicted on obstruction of justice and mail fraud charges for allegedly training customers to lie and conceal crimes during polygraph examinations.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, Acting Assistant Commissioner Mark Morgan of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Internal Affairs and Special Agent in Charge James E. Finch of the FBI's Oklahoma City Field Office made the announcement.

Douglas Williams, 69, of Norman, Oklahoma, was charged in a five-count indictment in the Western District of Oklahoma with mail fraud and obstruction.  According to allegations in the indictment, Williams, the owner and operator of "Polygraph.com," marketed his training services to people appearing for polygraph examinations before federal law enforcement agencies, federal intelligence agencies, and state and local law enforcement agencies, as well as people required to take polygraph examinations under the terms of their parole or probation.

The indictment further alleges that Williams trained an individual posing as a federal law enforcement officer to lie and conceal involvement in criminal activity from an internal agency investigation.  Williams is also alleged to have trained a second individual posing as an applicant seeking federal employment to lie and conceal crimes in a pre-employment polygraph examination.  Williams, who was paid for both training sessions, is alleged to have instructed the individuals to deny having received his polygraph training.

The charges contained in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The investigation is being investigated by U.S. Custom and Border Protection's Office of Internal Affairs and the FBI's Oklahoma City Field Office.  The case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorneys Mark Angehr and Brian K. Kidd of the Criminal Division's Public Integrity Section.

14-1272

I believe this case has serious First Amendment implications. A silver lining to this dark cloud is that it cannot help but to bring much-needed scrutiny to polygraph policy.

[Ex Member]

I have a feeling this is not going to be a Chad Dixon-like slam dunk. The trial should bring many things to light. My guess is Doug will win.

[quickfix]

What wonderful news.  A conviction and some serious prison time would be even better news!

[George W. Maschke]

The indictment of Doug Williams is a de facto admission by the U.S. government that polygraph countermeasures work.

[quickfix]

As Doug would say:  BULLSHIT.  It's a de facto statement that what he does is a crime, just like Chad Dixon committed the same crime!

[Ex Member]

A conviction and some serious prison time would be even better news! 

That is the key word "conviction"--it hasn't happened yet, and my guess is it won't. There will be more than Doug Williams on trial this time--it will be interesting indeed.

[The Watcher]

What a shame.  I have a feeling that George Maschke is next.  Once the case gets prepared, the feds will flag George with TSA and just wait until George's next return to the U.S., then arrest him as soon as he arrives at some U.S. airport.

[George W. Maschke]

What a shame.  I have a feeling that George Maschke is next.  Once the case gets prepared, the feds will flag George with TSA and just wait until George's next return to the U.S., then arrest him as soon as he arrives at some U.S. airport.

My next return to the U.S. is a week from today, on Friday 21 November at 5:13 EST, when I'll be landing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

[quickfix]

A conviction and some serious prison time would be even better news! 

That is the key word "conviction"--it hasn't happened yet, and my guess is it won't. There will be more than Doug Williams on trial this time--it will be interesting indeed.

Wasn't it you who said the same thing about Chad Dixon?  Or was it George?

[quickfix]

What a shame.  I have a feeling that George Maschke is next.  Once the case gets prepared, the feds will flag George with TSA and just wait until George's next return to the U.S., then arrest him as soon as he arrives at some U.S. airport.

My next return to the U.S. is a week from today, on Friday 21 November at 5:13 EST, when I'll be landing at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

We'll be waiting for you!

[Ex Member]

Wasn't it you who said the same thing about Chad Dixon?Or was it George? 

Dixon made a plea deal. I think he would have won had he went to trial.

[George W. Maschke]

A conviction and some serious prison time would be even better news! 

That is the key word "conviction"--it hasn't happened yet, and my guess is it won't. There will be more than Doug Williams on trial this time--it will be interesting indeed.

Wasn't it you who said the same thing about Chad Dixon?  Or was it George?

quickfix,

You'll recall that Chad Dixon didn't stand trial. He entered a plea agreement with prosecutors. It's interesting that proceedings against Doug Williams are going forward in Oklahoma rather than the Eastern District of Virginia, which was the venue for proceedings in the Dixon case.

[Ex Member]

We'll be waiting for you! 

So you are now on the record for making threats against George.

[Ex Member]

Once the case gets prepared, the feds will flag George with TSA and just wait until George's next return to the U.S., then arrest him as soon as he arrives at some U.S. airport.

Your gloating may be premature. The outcome of Doug's conviction and punishment may be your desire, but you should ponder the flip side: a full public hearing on polygraphy and its abuses and an acquittal followed up by malicious prosecution lawsuits. As I said, it will be interesting.

[quickfix]

No threats, just want to be there to greet him!  And Chad Dixon copped a plea because he knew he was going to be convicted and wanted a shorter sentence.  I'm not sure what your point is, Oklahoma or Virginia, it was still a federal case.

We'll try to arrange your cell to be next to Doug's.