Charges Dropped Against Utah Surgeon Accused of COVID Vaccine Fraud
Attorney General Ends Case Against Doctor Accused of Faking COVID Vaccination Records
Dr. Michael Kirk Moore Jr., a Utah plastic surgeon, will no longer face federal charges tied to a fraud scheme involving fake COVID-19 vaccine cards. Attorney General Pam Bondi revealed on Saturday that the Justice Department had decided to halt the prosecution, even though courtroom proceedings were already underway. The case had drawn national attention and stirred debate over medical choice and federal authority.
Doctor Cleared in Mid-Trial Reversal
Moore and members of his clinic faced accusations of taking part in a coordinated plan to forge vaccine records, tamper with federally supplied doses, and mislead patients and regulators. Authorities claimed Moore substituted real COVID vaccines with saline solution at the request of some patients, including children brought in by their parents.
Bondi’s announcement immediately brought the trial to a stop and was met with public support from lawmakers critical of pandemic-era restrictions. The sudden turn raised concerns about how much influence political figures may hold over federal prosecutions, especially in cases involving public health enforcement.
Case Ends Before Jury Could Decide
Just as the trial was entering its second week, the Justice Department filed to withdraw all charges against Moore and a co-defendant who had opted to challenge the allegations in court. The original indictment accused the group of planning and carrying out a scheme to undermine vaccination rules, misusing public resources in the process.
Investigators said Moore and his team collected money—roughly $50 per case—in exchange for issuing falsified vaccine cards. Instead of giving patients real doses, the group reportedly administered harmless saline to simulate vaccination.
Defense lawyers said Moore was acting in line with his patients’ wishes during a contentious time, arguing that the case reflected an overreach of federal power. They welcomed the dismissal as a long-overdue correction.
Support From Lawmakers Shaped Outcome
The case gained momentum beyond the courtroom, drawing vocal support from conservative politicians who criticized pandemic mandates. Senator Mike Lee and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene were among those who pushed for a closer look at the prosecution, framing Moore’s actions as aligned with personal liberty.
In her public statement, Bondi acknowledged that those lawmakers played a part in prompting a second look at the case. She stated that Moore offered an option to patients when official policy allowed none, positioning the prosecution as part of a broader pattern of government overreach.
The decision to drop the charges prompted concern among legal analysts, who noted that prosecutors are typically expected to operate independently of political influence. The involvement of sitting members of Congress in shaping a criminal prosecution raised questions about future boundaries between politics and law enforcement.
Tensions Within Justice Department Emerge
The case’s closure comes as the Justice Department faces growing internal pressure. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino was absent from his post on Friday, with reports suggesting disagreements with Bondi over her role in another politically charged investigation—one tied to Jeffrey Epstein.
Bondi had previously said she possessed records related to Epstein’s alleged client list. However, recent internal memos from the FBI and Justice Department disputed those claims, stating that no such list exists. This discrepancy sparked backlash from Bondi’s own political allies, with some calling for her resignation.
Former President Donald Trump defended Bondi in a post on Truth Social, urging her critics to focus on other issues and voicing continued confidence in her leadership.
As of now, it remains unclear whether the remaining co-defendants in the vaccine fraud case will also see their charges dismissed. Still, the decision to abandon the trial against Moore marks a sharp pivot in how the Justice Department is navigating the legal aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
