The scandal at Massachusetts’s drug lab takes another high ranking government official down. Massachusetts’s public health commissioner John Auerbach has resigned on Monday. Auerbach was the head of the agency that oversaw the drug lab.
Originally appointed in 2007, Auerbach’s resignation was accepted by Governor Patrick. According to Auerbach “it is clear that there was insufficient quality monitoring, reporting and investigating on the part of supervisors and managers surrounding the former Department of Public Health drug lab.”
This is the third person to lose their job after the lab was ordered closed by Governor Patrick in August. The lab was closed as a result of a Massachusetts State Police investigation revealed a chemist was mishandling evidence.
That chemist, who resigned in March has impacted over 34,000 people dating back until 2004. The problems with the chemist were found in June 2011 yet Auerbach was only made aware six months later. Six months later police and prosecutors were made aware of the problem.
The drug lab scandal is something that is not going to go away soon in Massachusetts. If you or someone you know has a drug conviction in Massachusetts it should be reviewed. If the chemist had performed tests on your case there is a possibility that the case can vacated. Call Attorney Donovan today.
