WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and SportsFormer substance abuse counselor-in-training disciplined

Former substance abuse counselor-in-training disciplined

Madison (Press Release) –The Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing announced that the right of Jacqueline J. Clifton of Eau Claire to renew her certificate as a substance abuse counselor-in-training has been revoked for improper conduct with two clients. 

According to the Final Decision and Order issued by DRL October 29^th, Clifton engaged in sexual relationships with two different males who were on probation while she was counseling them in her work for ATTIC Correctional Services in Wausau from 2004 to 2006. The order also stated that Clifton allowed one of the men to live with her for three weeks while there was a warrant out for his arrest, smoked marijuana with him and failed to obtain required drug tests from the man because she believed he would fail them.

As a result of a plea agreement in May 2009, Clifton was found guilty in Marathon County Circuit Court of a felony count of Sexual Exploitation by a Therapist.  A felony count harboring/aiding a felon and a misdemeanor count of encouraging parole/probation violation were dismissed but read into the record for purposes of sentencing. Clifton was sentenced to nine months of jail time with work and child care release privileges and ordered to perform 50 hours of community service during each of the five years she is on probation.

"This individual seriously violated boundaries that a counselor must adhere to and, in fact, violated the law and must be held strictly accountable," said Secretary Celia Jackson.

Clifton's certificate expired February 28, 2007 but she could have renewed it in the future if DRL had not taken action to revoke her right to renew. Clifton agreed to the disciplinary action handed down by DRL.