The show also examines the state problems while defining and . Obviously, after a blunder of such scale, no one would want their samples checked from the same lab. I was totally controlled by my addiction," she revealed in the documentary. Previously to her arrest, Farak lived in Laurel Park, Northampton in Massachusetts. Dookhan was convicted of falsifying test . A final decision is still pending and must be approved by the state Supreme Judicial Court. Powered by. Prior to working at the Amherst Drug Lab, Farak had been a chemist at the Hinton Drug Lab from 2003 to 2004. . Published Jul 1, 2020. Farak saw Kogan in 2009 and 2010, and her therapist wrote: She obtains the drugs from her job at the state drug lab, by taking portions of samples that have come in to be tested., Kogan also wrote that Farak told her she had taken methamphetamines at another lab in an old job, but she didnt get much from it. Kogan wrote that after moving to western [Massachusetts] for her job at the state drug lab, [Farak] tried it again and really liked it. According to the Washington Post, a judge who had looked into the case in 2016 described the prosecutors actions intentional, repeated, prolonged and deceptive withholding of evidence from the defendants.In 2014, Farak was found guilty of changing with evidence, ownership of illegal drugs, and stealing cocaine from the lab. That is as much public exposure as shes opened herself up to since her release from jail. This is whenMatt Segal reveals a T-shirt to commemorate their time on this case. Farak made crack cocaine at the Lab. A different film might have demonized Sonja Farak and Annie Dookhan, showing how their unconscionable behavior sent potentially innocent people to jail, destroying countless lives in the process. On January 6, 2014, Farak pled guilty to the charges against her. A new documentary by Netflix 'How to Fix a Drug Scandal' looks at the . We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. . Those are things that cause people, including my clients, to make choices that negatively impact themselves and others. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Episode 1. "As the gatekeeper to this evidence, she failed to turn over documents, and she adamantly opposed the requests for access. As How to Fix a Drug Scandal explores, Farak had long struggled with her mental . You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. In 2018, the Supreme Judicial Court dismissed an additional 16,000 drug convictions because of former chemist Sonja Farak's malfeasance at the State Laboratory Institute in Amherst (Amherst Drug Lab) between 2004 and 2013. Carr weaves Farak's story into that of another Massachusetts chemist, Annie Dookhan, who worked across the state at the Hinton drug lab in Boston. Carr revealed: "She isn't on drugs anymore, and I think that that is incredible. She was trying to suppress mental health issues, depression in specific, and she attempted to kill herself in high school, according to Rolling Stone. Northampton, MA 01060 The civil lawsuit was one of the last tied to prosecutors' disputed handling of the case against disgraced ex-chemist Sonja Farak, who was convicted in 2014 of ingesting drug samples she was . A majority of the report focused on Kaczmarek, who was primarily in charge of the day-to-day handling of the Farak prosecution. Sonja Farak Photo: Netflix. Sonja Farak was a chemist at a state drug lab in Amherst, Massachusetts, from 2005 to 2013. READ NEXT: Netflixs How to Fix a Drug Scandal Story: 5 Fast Facts, Sonja Farak: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. The T-shirtreferencesthe popular television show, Law and Order, but instead of saying Law and Order, it says Flaw and Order, with Mass Exoneration Unitunderneath. But what happened next to the former lab chemist? Her medical records included notes from Faraks therapist in Amherst, Anna Kogan. Faraks therapist, Anna Kogan, wrote in her notes that Farak was worried about Nikki finding out about her addiction as well as the possible legal issues if she were ever caught. This mini docuseries was produced by Jigsaw Productions, the very same production company that workedon the memorable documentariesCitizen K, American Jihad, and Water and Power: A California Heist. According to a Rolling Stone profile on Farak and the case, the former chemist has not been heard from since her release. In 2013, Massachusetts State Police arrested 35-year-old crime drug lab chemist Sonja Farak for tampering with evidence: and that was only the beginning. The hotline is open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a . As revealed in the docuseries, she confirmed that her childhood was normal and middle class. How to Fix a Drug Scandal: With Shannon O'Neill, Karl Kenzler, Paul Solotaroff, Scott Allen. I wasnt abused and yet I still turned out a certain way, still had some problems.. After contemplating another suicide, she settled on drugs, and the fact that she had such easy access to it at her workplace made it easier for her to get lost in that world. Sasson, Turnbull, Ryan & Hoose RELATED:Wicked Good: 10 Great Movies Set In Boston. Its almost as if somebody would take the worst part of my life and show it to millions of people., The project has brought up issues Carr is still dealing with. According to a newspaper article from 1992, she was the first female in Rhode Island to be on a high school football team. Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice: Arabic, Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice: Chinese, Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice: Haitian, Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice: Portuguese, Notice of Rights to Challenge Conviction:Spanish, Notice of Rights to Challenge Conviction:Haitian Creole, Notice of Rights to Challenge Conviction:Khmer, Notice of Rights to Challenge Conviction:Portuguese, Notice of Rights to Challenge Conviction:Vietnamese, Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice:Spanish, Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice:Arabic, Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice:Chinese, Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice:Haitian Creole, Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice:Khmer, Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice:Portuguese, Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice:Russian, Notice of Dismissal with Prejudice:Vietnamese, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants talks about your rights in this informational video, Stacy Foster et al vs. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Settlement, contact the Executive Office of the Trial Court. Another chemist was accused of tampering, affecting 34,000 drug cases, in October. Massachusetts could get another snowstorm Friday: What areas were the jackpot zones in this past storm? The hammer came down, so to speak, when it was discovered Farak had been high when testing drug samples from Renaldo Penates case. The dilemma went beyond Farak, which How to Fix a Drug Scandal deeply explores. In 2019, she was seen attending a civil court case relating to her, but she's otherwise kept a . RELATED:Top 10 Documentaries On Netflix Right Now (According To IMDb). She had been accused of "intentional infliction of emotional distress in addition to the conspiracy to violate [Penate's] civil rights.". A second Massachusetts state . It didnt matter whether or not she was the one who did the testing or some other chemist. Tens of thousands of criminal drug cases were dismissed as a result of misconduct by Dookhan and Farak. She was sentenced in January 2014 after she pled guilty to four counts of theft of a controlled substance from an authorized dispensary, four counts of tampering with evidence and two counts of cocaine possession. Farak was a former lab chemist at a lab in Amherst, Massachusetts and was convicted of stealing and using drugs from the lab where she worked. Sonja Farak is at the center of Netflix's new true crime docuseries, How To Fix a Drug Scandal. Kaczmarek argued before the BBO, and in response to Penate's lawsuit, that she was focused on prosecuting Farak and not defendants, like Penate, whose criminal cases were affected by Farak's misconduct. Sonja Farak took heroin, cocaine from evidence inventory, attorney general alleges. Where is Sonja now? Not only was she under the impact of drugs while at work for about nine years, but she was also under the impact when she took the stand in 2013. If you can't get enough of true crime documentaries, Netflix is your best friend. How to Fix a Drug Scandal 's four episodes break down how chemists Sonja Farak and Annie Dookhan tampered with evidence from tens of thousands of cases. Lets find out. She started working shortly after for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in July 2003 until July 2012, and from July 2012 until January 2013 for the Massachusetts State Police when the lab fell under their jurisdiction. Sonja Farak in How to Fix a Drug Scandal. investigating Farak for misconduct at the Amherst Drug Lab. Former chemist Annie Dookhan was convicted in 2013 on charges of improperly testing drug evidence at a drug lab in Boston. 1. 2023 Cable News Network. She was ar-rested for tampering with evidence while abusing narcotics at work. Sonja Farak pleaded guilty to stealing samples of drugs from an Amherst drug lab. YouTube After eight years at the lab, Sonja was finally caught out and arrested for her actions. General drug lab cases information. Specifically speaking, she played on the line on offense and defense. Soon after, the state police took over the control, and the lab was moved to Springfield, where it remains under the supervision of the state police. Thank you for your website feedback! While this series isn't fiction, it would've passed this infamous test if it was. Learn The Real Facts About What Dinosaur Had 500 Teeth. While she reached out to her family to let them know that the docuseries was coming out, she hasnt spoken to Farak and doesnt know much about her current life. Farak pleaded guilty to four counts of tampering with evidence, four counts of theft of a controlled substance from an authorized dispensary, and two counts of possession of cocaine in 2014. Now that her case has been brought into the public eye again since Netflix released How To Fix a Drug Scandal, many will be wondering what has happened to her. He confronted Farak, she denied knowing anything about it, and he, in the face of that denial, . The special hearing officer found Kaczmarek "displayed no remorse" and was "not candid" during the disciplinary proceedings. (The Massachusetts 2017 group exoneration involving chemist Annie Dookhan took place at the main lab.) On further review, the Court ordered the automatic dismissal with prejudice of all cases tested at the Amherst Drug Lab between January 2009 and January 2013, effective December 13, 2018. The number is888-999-2881. "It was Defendant who had the responsibility within the AGO [attorney general's office] to see that the Farak investigation materials were disseminated to the DAOs [district attorneys' offices]," Robertson wrote, adding there is no evidence anyone from the attorney general's office sent the potentially exculpatory evidence to those offices.". Carr said shes been shocked to read angry reactions towards Farak over Twitter. history. In December 2011, Springfield, Massachusetts police arrested Rolando Penate for allegedly selling heroin, and the drugs were sent off to be tested by then-35-year-old drug lab chemist Sonja Farak . After graduating from Portsmouth High School, Farak attended the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she got a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry in 2000. Massachusetts chemist accused of tampering with evidence, drug possession, Sonja Farak took heroin, cocaine from evidence inventory, attorney general alleges, Another chemist was accused of tampering, affecting 34,000 drug cases, in October. Sonja Farak's actions also tell a tragic but riveting tale of addiction and how far it can push a person. Sonja Farak was hired by DPH in July 2003 as a drug lab chemist. Two Massachusetts drug-testing laboratory technicians are caught tampering with and falsifying drug evidence, and prosecutors are reluctant to disclose the full extent of their criminal behavior. She had suffered from mental health issues throughout her life and, according to Rolling Stone, had tried to kill herself in High School. A search of her bag later showed the ingredients for cooking her own cocaine: baking soda, candle wax, and modeling clay, along with utensils that she could use to make it. Thats when she found a home working at a lab in the Morrill Science Building on the UMass Amherst campus. In the documentary, Heather Harris, a forensic chemist, states that drug chemists don't make for compelling television. How to Fix A Drug Scandal is Netflix's latest intriguing documentary series, and these are 10 details everyone missed. She was discharged in 2015 and has kept a low profile since. After searching her work station, they found a vial of oxycodone and 11.7 grams of cocaine, along with kits to use crack. When she tried it she did so when others in the lab went out to lunch it met her expectations. The last contact information provided by her, in response to Penates allegations, placed her residence in Hatfield, Massachusetts. Its up to the Board of Bar Overseers about what discipline, if any, should be imposed on the three former prosecutors. In order to cover her tracks, per Rolling Stone and the Netflix doc, Farak would add ersatz powder to some of the drug samples she used. NEXT:How To Fix A Drug Scandal True Story: What The Documentary Leaves Out, 10 Things Everyone Completely Missed In Netflix's How to Fix a Drug Scandal, Top 10 Documentaries On Netflix Right Now (According To IMDb), The 10 Best Football Movies Ever Made, According to Rotten Tomatoes, Wicked Good: 10 Great Movies Set In Boston, How To Fix A Drug Scandal True Story: What The Documentary Leaves Out, Yellowstone's Dutton Family Tree Explained In Full, Witcher: Blood Origin Uses One NSFW History Detail Game Of Thrones Avoided, Fraiser Reboot Will Feature Some Original Show Cast Members After All. Discovery Company. "No reasonablejury could conclude that this evidence is not favorable.". Sonja Farak, of Northampton, a former chemist at the state crime lab in Amherst, appears in Hampshire Superior Court in Northampton in April 2013 for her arraignment on multiple counts of evidence . She was ultimately sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2014. So, in a way, it is not from her that the queue of the blame should begin; it should be from the lab and the authorities themselves. They were all rendered unacceptable. April 2, 2020 12:56 pm. Sonja Farak and two other chemists analyzed drug samples at the lab from late 2004 until its closure on January 18, 2013. [7], How to Fix a Drug Scandal was released on April 1, 2020, on Netflix.[2]. Her role was to test for the presence of illegal substances, which could be instrumental in thousands of drug related legal cases. Director Alex Gibney of Jigsaw Productions has been called "one of the most important documentarians of our time" by Esquire, and even The New York Times gave Gibney their praise. While Farak kept her drug use separated to work only at first, her use still spilled out. Fue arrestada el 19 de enero de 2013. Netflix's documentary titled 'How to Fix a Drug Scandal' looks into . The filmmaker told that she spent a lot of time thinking about Farak and trying to humanize her. With her response, she only listed a Hatfield, Mass. Please note that if your case has been identified for dismissal, it could take approximately 2-3 months for the relevant court records to be updated. How to Fix a Drug Scandal is an American true crime documentary miniseries that was released on Netflix on April 1, 2020. Most of entertainment usually involves male characters or people in some way as the key players of a story, but this documentary shows that that isn't always the case. The prosecutors have been tied to the drug lab scandal involving disgraced former state chemist Sonja Farak, who admitted to stealing and using drugs from an Amherst state lab. Carr said that Farak is a private person. She looked into the western area of the state because it was less costly and less hectic. The crime laboratory in Amherst stores and analyzes alleged controlled substances seized by local and state police. Three former Massachusetts assistant attorneys general all engaged in misconduct while investigating a state drug lab scandal involving disgraced former-chemist Sonja Farak, according to the . Defense attorney Luke Ryan's clients Rolando Penate and Rafael Rodriguez were convicted based upon Sonja Farak's drug lab testing. YouTube Something went wrong, please try again later. Approximately one year later, she pled guilty to tampering with evidence, unlawful possession, and stealing narcotics. She really did, at certain times, tried to stop doing this but couldnt.. Please let us know how we can improve this page. In fact, she was the first girl in the state of Rhode Island to play high school football in a public school system. She graduated with high distinction. She played as the starting guard for Portsmouth High Schools freshman team. Massachusetts prosecutor tied to Sonja Farak, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Massachusetts prosecutor tied to Sonja Farak drug lab scandal actively misled others: Report, Greek stationmaster arrested in head-on train crash; 36 dead, Cops say man sprayed MBTA passenger with unknown liquid, Passenger in 2021 Green Line collision sues MBTA for $44K, Pair in alleged carjack, toddler abduction held on high bail, scandal led to the dismissal of thousands of drug convictions, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins last week said shes asking the states highest court to toss thousands of convictions, Massachusetts snowstorm will spark 'hazardous conditions,' schools closing for snow day, Boston Police seize 37 dirt bikes and mopeds, recover fentanyl and guns, and arrest 4 after 'illegal drag racing' investigation, Battenfeld: Origins of COVID the latest "conspiracy theory" proved right, Healey's plan to cut capital gains, death tax, meets quick backlash. 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