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According to new documents filed by the court, Steven Brandenburg was charged with a Class A misdemeanor during his hearing in Ozaukee County Circuit Court on Tuesday.
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Brandenburg had intentionally removed 550 doses of the Moderna vaccine from a refrigerator at a clinic it worked in in Wisconsin.
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Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol explained that the nature of the charges against Brandenburg can change, depending on whether the withdrawn vaccines are found to be ineffective.
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Steven Bradenburg, the Wisconsin pharmacist accused of tampering with moderna COVID-19 vaccine vials, has been charged with a misdemeanor, according to new documents filed by the court.
Brandenburg was arrested on December 31 by the Grafton Police Department after an internal investigation by his employer Advocate Aurora Health concluded that he “intentionally” removed 550 doses of the Moderna vaccine from a refrigerator at the clinic where he was working.
Attorney Aurora Health initially claimed that the pharmacist’s actions were “human error” but then decided to fire the employee and alert authorities after ruling the actions to be intentional.
In custody, Brandenburg, an avowed conspiracy theorist, told authorities he believed in vaccine conspiracy theories and believed the world was “falling apart.”
Brandenburg had admitted to deliberately removing the vials from refrigeration at Grafton Medical Center on the night of December 24 and then again on the night of December 25.
According to documents filed by the online court, Brandenburg was charged with a Class A misdemeanor during his hearing at the Ozaukee County Circuit Court on Tuesday, and he could face up to nine months in prison, at a fine of $ 10,000 or both.
Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol explained that the nature of the charges against Brandenburg can change, depending on whether the withdrawn vaccines are found to be ineffective.
At a press conference earlier this month, Aurora CEO Jeff Bahr said clinic workers 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.”
Moderna vaccine vials can be left at room temperature for up to 12 hours and should be stored between 36 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
“I have included a quote from the resident expert in my criminal complaint,” Gerol added, according to WUWM. “That said, he’s being sent to Moderna for further testing. If anything were to come up, the charges could change.”
Brandenburg’s pharmaceutical license was also withdrawn by the state last week, according to the Associated Press.
Brandenburg pleaded not guilty on Tuesday and its next court date is set for March 18.
Read the original article on Business Insider
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