Prosecutors Oppose Easing Chin's Restrictions

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Citing a series of "suspicious financial transactions," federal prosecutors are asking a judge to reject a request for an easement of restrictions on a former pharmacist just convicted of 77 counts in the aftermath of the probe of a deadly fungal meningitis outbreak.
In a motion filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Boston, Mass., Assistant U.S, Attorney George Varghese cited a series of financial transactions executed in recent months by Glenn A. Chin, the former supervising pharmacist for the company blamed for a deadly fungal meningitis outbreak.
Chin had requested that the judge presiding over his case lift an order that required him to wear a location monitor and remain under house arrest at his suburban Boston residence. In requesting the easement earlier this week, Chin's lawyers said they anticipated government lawyers would oppose the request.
"During his time on pretrial release, the government has continued to monitor Chin's activities, including a number of suspicious financial transactions," the motion states.
Cited in the seven-page motion are a series of withdrawals from Chin's retirement account that initially totaled $635.000.
Citing its previous charge that Chin was arrested the day before he and his family were set to leave the country, the government charged that Chin has spent $250,000 to purchase a sports utility vehicle, pay off a large credit card debt and to repay loans to relatives.
"It is unknown what Chin is doing with this additional cash, but these transaction appear to demonstrate a concerted effort to obtain significant available cash resources," the government motion states.
The motion notes that Chin was convicted on 77 counts by a federal jury following a trial that spanned nearly five weeks. As a result, the motion continues, Chin is likely to face a substantial federal prison sentence similar to the nine year sentence given to co-defendant Barry J. Cadden.
Cadden, who was convicted in late March already is serving that nine year sentence.
Citing a report by a government expert, the motion states that Chin's estimated net worth is $1.3 million
Prosecutors also challenged Chin's contention that easing his restrictions pending a Jan. 30 sentencing hearing would better enable him to place his personal affairs in order.
"This reason is specious," the motion states, adding that the Chin motion provides no explanation for why he can't place his affairs in order during the hours of 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., the time period he is now allowed to leave his Canton, Mass. residence.
"Given all the realities Chin faces, flight may now be more tempting to him than at any point since his arrest. This is not the time to relax his release conditions," the motion concludes.
Chin and Cadden were charged following a two year probe of the fungal meningitis outbreak which was caused by the company headed by Cadden, the New England Compounding Center. Chin, as a supervising pharmacist at NECC, reported to Cadden.
The outbreak sickened 778 patients, killing 76 of them.
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