State troopers accused of making fake vaccination cards resign after colleagues turn them in

[BumRushDaShow]

State troopers accused of making fake vaccination cards resign after colleagues turn them in



A fraudulent coronavirus vaccination card. (California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control/AP)


By Timothy Bella and Andrew Jeong

Yesterday at 9:50 a.m. EDT

Three Vermont state troopers have resigned after they were accused of being involved in a scheme to create fake coronavirus vaccination cards in the nation’s most vaccinated state, the state police announced Tuesday. Shawn Sommers and Raymond Witkowski resigned Aug. 10, a day after a colleague raised concerns about the alleged fraud to supervisors, while David Pfindel’s resignation took effect Friday after an investigation by Vermont’s Department of Public Safety, according to a police statement. Authorities said the three men, who were reported to supervisors by their fellow troopers, “are suspected of having varying roles in the creation of fraudulent covid-19 vaccination cards, which may be a violation of federal law.”

The Vermont State Police said they were unable to announce the resignations before Tuesday, or provide any additional details about the case, because the FBI is investigating the matter. It remains unclear why and for whom the troopers allegedly made the fake cards. Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, director of the Vermont State Police, said the accusations against the officers “involve an extraordinary level of misconduct.” He added that he is “embarrassed” about a situation that has tarnished the department’s reputation.

“I could not be more upset and disappointed,” he said in a statement. “If these allegations are proved to be true, it is reprehensible that state troopers would manipulate vaccination cards in the midst of a pandemic, when being vaccinated is one of the most important steps anyone can take to keep their community safe from covid-19.” Efforts to reach Sommers, Witkowski and Pfindel were unsuccessful. Neither the U.S. attorney’s office in Burlington nor the Vermont Troopers Association, a union that represents sergeants and troopers, immediately responded to requests for comment Wednesday.

Making or buying a counterfeit card violates federal laws, as it entails the unauthorized use of an official government agency’s seal, according to the FBI. Those linked to a fake vaccination card can face a fine and a prison sentence of up to five years. The FBI warned unvaccinated people earlier this year: “Do not buy fake vaccine cards, do not make your own vaccine cards, and do not fill-in blank vaccination record cards with false information.” More than 68 percent of Vermont is fully vaccinated, the highest rate of any state, according to data compiled by The Washington Post.

More: https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/09/08/fake-vaccination-cards-vermont-troopers/

I expect this is a racket that is probably either already running ramapant or will soon be in every state. The irony here being that this case happened in VT, supposedly the "most vaccinated state".

[Runningdawg]

1. I'm sure it's not the first thing they have falsified.

[Moostache]

2. Imprison anyone making or buying these...

This is dangerous behavior because it is wrong on so many levels.

First, the vaccines are NOT the point...the EFFECT of being vaccinated IS THE POINT!!!
Obtaining fake documentation to circumscribe the process of being vaccinated and stopping the spread and MUTATION of the virus is a criminal offense and at minimum should be charged with maximum prejudice.

Second, allowing one's self to walk around as a viral experiment in society, when the known transmission path of the pathogen is aerosolized droplets is attempted murder if you encounter or infect others who encounter immuno-suppressed people in their lives. Just as sleeping with people and having unprotected sex while infected with HIV is a crime, so too is BREATHING without a mask AND a vaccine. Really, the masks are to prevent this thing from continual mutation and to protect the efficacy of the vaccines at this point, so double FUCK YOU to the anti-vaxx / anti-mask crowd of Emmy-award winning asshats.

Finally, I am done caring about people who won't help themselves...its time to cut them out of society and allow them to go into their own wilderness to die or thrive, but to do so without membership in our collective risk sharing society.

If you do all you can to mitigate spread and help slow the virus, you are welcome.
If you don't? Fuck out...and get the fuck out of OUR COUNTRY ASSHOLES.

[empedocles]

3. Prison, yes.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. Exactly!

[Jimbo S]

5. Code of Silence

I'm surprised some brave person snitched.

[brush]

6. Three dummies. That's all there is to that. It's easier to...

drop by CVS or Walgreens and get the FREE vaxx than doing that stupidity which cost them their jobs.

Just the dumbest thing.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. You Said It!

My wife & I saw a piece on Chicago news about 100 fake cards being confiscated.
They were $30 a piece.
So, people were going to pay 30 bucks instead of getting a shot for free!
And, the document faker faces federal prison over $3,000.
My wife & I were dumbfounded.