The ex-lab tech accused of skimming drugs from San Francisco's crime lab for her own use is facing a felony cocaine possession charge in San Mateo County.
Debbie Madden, 60, was charged Friday in connection with cocaine investigators found while searching her home on March 3. They found one-tenth of a gram of cocaine and a gun at her San Mateo home.
Madden was arrested after the search but was released and has not been charged in the lab scandal case although she remains under scrutiny.
Her attorney, Paul DeMeester, last month sought to downplay th skimming allegations, comparing the situation to a bartender who sneaks a drink from a brewery. He says the lab has larger systemic problems that have nothing to do with his client.
Madden is due in court Monday. She will plead not guilty, her attorney says.
Hundreds of cases had to be tossed out as a result of the suspected tampering but there are no charges in that case yet.
