-
According to new court documents, Steven Brandenburg was charged with Class A misdemeanor at his hearing in the Ozaukee County Court on Tuesday.
-
Brandenburg intentionally removed 550 doses of the Modern vaccine from a clinic refrigerator where he worked in Wisconsin.
-
Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol elaborated that the nature of the charges against Brandenburg could change, depending on whether the removed vaccines are found to be ineffective.
-
Visit the Business Insider home page for more stories.
Steven Bradenburg, the Wisconsin pharmacist accused of tampering with vials of the Modern COVID-19 vaccine, was charged with a misdemeanor, according to new court documents.
Brandenburg was arrested on December 31 by the Grafton Police Department after an internal investigation by his employer, lawyer Aurora Health, concluded that he had “intentionally” removed 550 doses of the Modern vaccine from a refrigerator at the clinic where he worked.
Lawyer Aurora Health initially claimed that the pharmacist’s actions were “human error”, but then moved to fire the employee and alert the authorities after judging the intentional actions.
In custody, Brandenburg, an avowed conspiracy theorist, told authorities that he believed in the vaccine conspiracy theories and that the world was “collapsing”.
Brandenburg admitted to purposely removing the refrigeration bottles at Grafton Medical Center during the night of December 24 and again on the night of December 25.
According to online court records, Brandenburg was charged with Class A misdemeanor during his hearing at the Ozaukee County Court on Tuesday, and he could be sentenced to up to nine months in prison, fined $ 10,000 or face both charges. punishments.
Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol elaborated that the nature of the charges against Brandenburg could change, depending on whether the removed vaccines are found to be ineffective.
At a news conference earlier this month, Aurora CEO Jeff Bahr said that clinic staff were forced to throw away more than 500 doses.
In court on Tuesday, Gerol said, “The best evidence at this point is that the vaccine remains viable.”
Vials of Moderna vaccine can remain at room temperature for up to 12 hours and must be stored between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
“I included a quote from the resident expert in my criminal complaint,” added Gerol, according to WUWM. “That said, he is being sent to Moderna for further testing. If something happens, the charges could change.”
The Brandenburg pharmaceutical license was also withdrawn by the state last week, according to the Associated Press.
Brandenburg pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, and his next hearing was scheduled for March 18.
Read the original article on Business Insider