Mass. Chemist Pleads Not Guilty To Charges

January 22, 2013

The Associated Press

A chemist at a state crime lab accused of tampering with evidence and stealing drugs has pleaded not guilty and been held on $5,000 bail.

State chemist Sonja Farak, in an undated photo provided by the Massachusetts Attorney General's office (Attorney General's office/AP) — Chemist Sonja Farak, in an undated photo provided by the Massachusetts Attorney General's office (Attorney General's office/AP)

Sonja Farak was arraigned Tuesday in Eastern Hampshire District Court in Belchertown.

Authorities say in one case, the 35-year-old Farak, of Northampton, stole a drug that tested positive for cocaine and replaced it with a counterfeit substance.

The lab contacted state police on Friday to report a discrepancy in inventory.

The Amherst lab where Farak worked has been closed temporarily, and chemists transferred to Sudbury.

Farak's lawyer said her client has no prior record.

Farak's case is not connected to the case of Annie Dookhan, who has been accused of faking test results at a Boston drug lab. Dookhan has pleaded not guilty.

This program aired on January 22, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.