Former Cincinnati radio host and attorney Lisa Wells has been sentenced to three years of probation after admitting to violating the terms of a court-supervised drug treatment program. The sentence, delivered in a Miami County courtroom, carries strict conditions and the threat of imprisonment for any further violations.
Wells, 41, a lawyer by profession and previously a host on 700WLW, appeared tearful as she addressed Judge Jeannine Pratt. Her case stems from a 2016 arrest for driving under the influence, during which police discovered prescription pills, including oxycodone, in her vehicle and purse.
“I just wish I had it together, more,” Wells stated to Judge Pratt, expressing remorse and hinting at personal struggles during the hearing.
In April 2017, Wells pleaded guilty to felony drug possession charges. She was then placed in a two-year intervention in lieu of conviction program, similar to probation, which offered the possibility of dismissing the charges upon successful completion. However, in April 2019, questions arose about her adherence to the program, specifically regarding completion of a required course for attorneys and subsequent drug testing.
Judge Pratt’s patience appeared tested as the case progressed. After Wells failed to attend a scheduled hearing in July 2019, an arrest warrant was issued. While the warrant was eventually recalled to allow Wells to appear voluntarily, further complications arose. A drug test, ordered after multiple delays requested by Wells, came back positive for cocaine, marijuana, and oxycodone, leading to a brief jail stay in late August 2019.
Despite being released on a personal recognizance bond and a subsequent hearing being set for September 5, Wells again failed to appear. It was later revealed that she had entered a substance abuse rehabilitation facility the day before. Her attorneys argued this hospitalization was on doctor’s orders, a claim Judge Pratt viewed with skepticism.
Wells was discharged from the rehab facility on October 2, 2019, but did not immediately surrender to authorities or notify the court, resulting in another arrest warrant and her subsequent jailing from October 18, 2019. Judge Pratt, in court on Thursday, detailed the timeline of events, emphasizing the numerous opportunities and leniency extended to Wells throughout the process.
“This court has bent over backward to get (Wells) over the finish line,” Judge Pratt stated, highlighting the extent of accommodation provided. She further added, “Ms. Wells has no one to blame but herself,” underscoring the judge’s perspective on personal responsibility in the situation.
As part of her “no-breaks” probation, Lisa Wells Lawyer must adhere to a stringent set of conditions. These include mandatory outpatient treatment, regular random drug tests, attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings twice weekly, a mental health assessment, and a year of individual therapy. Furthermore, she is subject to a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and GPS monitoring. Failure to comply with any of these conditions could result in a one-year prison sentence.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious legal and personal consequences associated with drug possession and violation of court orders, even for professionals like Lisa Wells, who once held prominent positions in both law and media.
