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A Tennessee investigation found that state-licensed vaccine chief Michelle Fiscus purchased a dog muzzle that she previously claimed someone posted in an attempt to intimidate her.
Why is this important: Fiscus, who denied having muzzled himself in a Monday tweet, called his firing a politically motivated move by Republican state officials after sharing a memo citing state law stating whether teens can seek medical care, including a COVID vaccine, without permission of their parents.
- Fiscus and her husband, Brad, had said in several interviews, including with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, that the muzzle was sent anonymously to his state office via Amazon shortly before his dismissal.
- “Someone wanted to text her to tell her to stop talking, they thought it would be a threat to her,” Brad Fiscus told the Tennessean.
Details: The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security discovered by subpoena that the Amazon package containing the muzzle dated back to a credit card in Fiscus’ name, according to an investigative report obtained by Axios.
- When questioned by investigators, Fiscus provided information for an Amazon account in her name. It was a different account than the one used to buy the muzzle.
- The investigation concluded that “the results of this investigation showed that purchases on both Amazon accounts were charged to the same American Express credit card in the name of Dr. Michelle D. Fiscus”.
- Fiscus told investigators she believed the muzzle was a threat and that she should “stop talking about vaccinating people.” The investigation was launched after Department of Health official Paul Peterson alerted the Department of Security to the apparent threat to Fiscus.
The backdrop: Fiscus was fired amid criticism from Republican lawmakers who were upset by the health department’s efforts to convince teens to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Republican lawmakers criticized Fiscus on several fronts, highlighting a memo she sent explaining how providers in Tennessee could vaccinate some teenage patients without a parent’s approval.
- The Department of Health released a memo last month saying Fiscus was fired for poor interpersonal communication skills, ineffective management and an attempt to channel state money to a non-profit organization that she had founded.
- Fiscus denied the allegations in the memo and shared years of excellent performance reviews. She claims to have been fired for trying to do her job well.
What they say : In a statement distributed by her husband, Fiscus said she was not aware of the report until Axios shared it.
- “We have now learned that a second Amazon account has been created in my name using what appears to be a temporary phone, possibly in Washington state,” Fiscus said.
- “I have asked Homeland Security for the unredacted report so that I can investigate further and await their response,” she added.
- Fiscus did not discuss the use of the American Express card in his name.
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to indicate that Fiscus tweeted about the findings of the investigation and included a statement on his part.
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