BOSTON - A chemist at the center of a Massachusetts lab scandal that has jeopardized the prosecution of thousands of drug cases has indicated that she is likely to plead guilty to criminal charges.
Annie Dookhan of Franklin has pleaded innocent to obstruction of justice, perjury and tampering with evidence at a former Department of Public Health lab where police departments sent substances for testing in drug cases. Dookhan purportedly admitted to state police that she faked test results and tampered with samples at the now-closed lab.
Earlier this month, prosecutors from state Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office recommended up to seven years in prison for Dookhan if she decides to plead guilty. Dookhan’s lawyer asked for no more than a year, arguing that she had made a series of tragic mistakes, but never foresaw the damage her actions would cause to the state’s criminal justice system.
Front Section, Pages 4 on 10/29/2013