A Massachusetts pharmacist charged with murder in connection to a 2012 U.S. meningitis outbreak has agreed to plead no contest to involuntary manslaughter. The pharmacist, Glenn Chin, is facing charges related to the deaths of 11 Michigan residents. The plea deal includes a 7 1/2-year prison sentence, with credit for his current longer sentence for federal crimes.
Chin, who supervised production at the New England Compounding Center in Massachusetts, was implicated in the outbreak that sickened more than 700 people in 20 states. The tainted steroids shipped by the center led to fungal meningitis and other severe illnesses, resulting in multiple deaths across the country.
Investigators found that the laboratory's 'clean room,' where the steroids were prepared, was contaminated with mold, insects, and cracks. Chin's role in overseeing production at the facility was a focal point of the investigation.
Currently serving a 10 1/2-year federal sentence for racketeering, fraud, and other crimes linked to the outbreak, Chin expressed remorse during his trial in Boston. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation and apologized for the harm caused.
In a separate case, Barry Cadden, an executive at the New England Compounding Center, also faced charges in Michigan related to the outbreak. Cadden pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and received a 10-year prison sentence. Second-degree murder charges against him were dropped.
Cadden's state sentence is concurrent with his 14 1/2-year federal sentence. He has been receiving credit for time served since 2018. Both Chin and Cadden have been held accountable for their roles in the tragic events that unfolded as a result of the contaminated steroids.
The resolution of these cases marks a significant step in seeking justice for the victims and their families affected by the devastating meningitis outbreak. The legal proceedings have shed light on the importance of stringent safety measures in pharmaceutical production to prevent similar incidents in the future.
