Office of the Attorney General Issues Statement on Possible RIDOH Lab Contamination Event

 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – On March 14, 2023, the Department of Health (DOH) notified our Office of a possible contamination event at their Forensic Chemistry Lab which potentially affected the results of a number of tests on drug exhibits, utilized in cases prosecuted by our Office, specifically affecting cocaine detections. 

 

Upon learning of the issue, our Office acted immediately to further understand the nature of the possible contamination and the scope of the issue, and has worked expeditiously to identify criminal cases that might have been impacted. It is our understanding, based on information provided by the Rhode Island Forensic Laboratory, that this event concerned drug exhibits tested by one particular laboratory scientist which may have yielded false positive results for cocaine. At this juncture, the Lab has identified 52 lab cases that are potentially impacted by this event. There are an additional 263 cases that are pending review. The Lab has represented to us that, based on the information they currently have, they do not believe drug exhibits tested by other laboratory scientists, or that drug exhibits where cocaine is not indicated were impacted.

 

As a result of the notice we received from the Lab, we have requested that all affected exhibits be retested. We also understand that the Lab will expedite the retesting of exhibits.

 

At present, our Office is working to ensure that every impacted case is identified; notice is sent to defense counsel representing defendants; notice is sent to police departments; and the implementation of a plan to quickly address any question regarding the reliability of the drug testing in question. That process has been time consuming as the list of cases sent to us by the lab does not include corresponding court case numbers. We have been working to identify all pending and disposed cases as well as cases where the defendant may be held or serving a sentence at the ACI. At this juncture, it does not appear that any defendant is held solely based on charges involving cocaine.

 

We have also reached out to and briefed the Public Defender, the presiding and acting presiding justice of the Superior Court, the presiding justice of the District Court, the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association, and the Rhode Island State Police.

 

Following our initial action, we will continue our work to evaluate the scope and impact of this issue, and expeditiously work with stakeholders to ensure that no individual’s rights have been violated.

 

Additional questions concerning specific details of the possible contamination should be directed to the RIDOH.

 

 

Wall Street is closing sharply higher to end the holiday-shortened week. Stocks soared on the heels of a strong jobs report and lawmakers passing a debt ceiling deal that avoids a U.S. default. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 701 points to 33-762. The S&P 500 added 61 points to 42-82. The Nasdaq rose 139 points to 13-240.       The debt ceiling bill passed by Congress will be the subject when President Biden addresses the nation this evening. The House passed the bill Wednesday and the Senate followed suit on Thursday. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reiterated "the full faith and credit of the United States must never be used as a bargaining chip."       Federal regulators are warning users of payment apps that they don't have the same protections as traditional banks. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Director said in a statement that Venmo and PayPal users should not store cash in the app. More than 75-percent of U.S. adults have used at least one payment app, according to the agency.       The list of GOP presidential candidates is growing, but there's no guarantee everyone will get to be in the first debate. The Republican National Committee is reportedly setting stricter standards to qualify for the August debate in Milwaukee. According to the Washington Post, requirements may include a minimum of 40-thousand individual campaign donors and support from at least one-percent of voters in multiple national polls.        Coffee shops in California wouldn't be allowed to sell weed, but weed dispensaries are a step closer to selling coffee. The California State Assembly voted 64 to 9 in favor of allowing weed dispensaries to serve food and host areas where it's legal to consume the herb. State Representative Matt Haney is the author of the bill, which he says will help boost business.       There will be a "Spider-Man 4," but the writers strike has put everything on "pause." Actor Tom Holland says meeting were happening, but they stopped in solidarity with the writers. Holland starred as Peter Parker in three previous "Spider-Man" films.