Pubdate: Fri, 07 January 2000 Source: Tampa Tribune (FL) Copyright: 2000, The Tribune Co. Contact: http://www.tampatrib.com/ Forum: http://tampabayonline.net/interact/welcome.htm Author: Sarah Huntley of the Tribune STATE PROSECUTORS SATISFIED WITH TROOPER'S EXPLANATIONS BARTOW - A state trooper who has admitted filing misleading arrest reports convinced Polk County prosecutors Thursday that none of their cases are at risk. Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Douglas Strickland cooperated fully during an interview that lasted just over an hour at the State Attorney's Office in Bartow, prosecutors said. ``We have satisfied ourselves that he has no personal knowledge of any improperly filed affidavits that we have prosecuted in this circuit,'' State Attorney Jerry Hill said late Thursday. Assistant State Attorney Brad Copley subpoenaed Strickland on Dec. 23 after the trooper testified in a federal hearing that he and his colleagues have intentionally misled state judges about the circumstances behind major drug busts. In at least two Polk cases, Strickland failed to tell the judge that he was working with federal agents in a reverse sting. After learning of the misrepresentation, Copley refused to prosecute one of the cases. The other case was transferred to federal court, where the defendant pleaded guilty. Hill declined to comment Thursday when asked if his office plans to summon more troopers for questioning - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart