Personnel Shakeup At Troubled Mass. Drug Lab

September 13, 2012

The Associated Press

From left: Secretary of Public Safety Mary Beth Heffernan, Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby and State Police Col. Timothy Alben announce the drug lab personnel shakeup Thursday. (Andrea Shea/WBUR) — From left: Secretary of Public Safety Mary Beth Heffernan, Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby and State Police Col. Timothy Alben announce the lab firings Thursday. (Andrea Shea/WBUR)

One employee has been fired, another has resigned, and a third faces disciplinary proceedings as a result of an investigation that led to the shutdown of a state crime lab.

Health and Human Services Secretary JudyAnn Bigby announced the personnel fallout Thursday during a news conference on the mishandling of drug samples at the Boston lab. Bigby said she did not know the motive, but said it went beyond "simple sloppiness."

Chemist Annie Dookhan resigned in March during an investigation by the Department of Public Health. State police, who took over the lab July 1, say Dookhan violated testing protocols and may have deliberately mishandled drug samples.

Dr. Linda Han, directory of laboratory services, has resigned, while Julie Nassif, director of the analytical chemistry division, has been fired. Dookhan's direct supervisor is currently in disciplinary proceedings.

Earlier Coverage:

This program aired on September 13, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.

Drug Lab Scandal