UCLA Professor Patrick Harran Charged for Sheharbano “Sheri” Sangji Case
WESTWOOD (LALATE) – UCLA Professor Patrick Harran and the UC Board of Regents have been criminally charged for the death of Sheharbano “Sheri” Sangji. Professor Patrick Harran is UCLA’s Professor and Cram Chair of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. He is lab director of the Harran Lab, indicates his bio.
But now the L.A. County district attorney’s office have criminally charged Harran and the regents of the University of California with three counts each for allegedly willfully violating occupational health and safety standards. The charges stem from the December 2008 death of Sangji.
In 2008, Sheharbano “Sheri” Sangji, 23, was a research assistance at UCLA. She surfaced burns during an experiment; she died eighteen days later from those burns.
An arrest warrant for Harran has been issued. He faces 4 1/2 years in state prison if found guilty. UCLA could be fined $1.5 million for each of the three counts if found guilty. Harran’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
In a news statement, UCLA says it committed no wrongdoing. “UCLA intends to mount a vigorous defense against the outrageous charges announced today by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office”.
UCLA also told news “The District Attorney’s decision to file charges today is truly baffling and directly contradicts the findings of the state agency responsible for evaluating workplace safety”. Officials added “The facts provide absolutely no basis for the appalling allegation of criminal conduct, and the university is confident an impartial jury would agree.”
Harran has yet to comment about the news. His bio reads “In the summer of 2008 Professor Harran accepted the inaugural D.J. & J.M. Cram Chair in Organic Chemistry at UCLA. The group relocated to Los Angeles with a strong sense of possibilities and excitement for the years ahead.”
