Kovach Plea Bargains in Orchid Smuggling Case

James Michael Kovach has pleaded guilty to lesser charges in the case involving the smuggling of a previously unknown to science species of orchid. The unidentified lady-slipper orchid was brought to Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida and later named Phragmipedium kovachii by researchers at Selby. The U.S. Justice Department dropped the felony smuggling charge but brought forth a misdemeanor count of illegal trade, to which Kovach pleaded guilty.

St. Petersburg times reports on the case: Controversy over orchid settled with guilty plea.

For background on the story, please read these earlier weblog entries:

• Phragmipedium kovachii


• Selby Botanical Gardens pleads guilty


• 'Not guilty' plea for importing orchid

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 10:48 AM on July 7, 2004

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