The federal government has dismissed charges against Dr. Michael Kirk Moore, a plastic surgeon based in Midvale, Utah, who was accused of serious offenses related to COVID-19 vaccinations. The charges included allegations that he discarded valuable government-provided vaccines, administered saline shots to children instead of actual vaccines, and sold fake vaccination cards. This development was announced by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on a social media platform known as X.
The accusations against Dr. Moore and other associated defendants included conspiracy to defraud the government and aiding in disposing of government property. They faced potential prison sentences of up to 35 years for these charges, which were brought forth during the administration of President Joe Biden. In her statement, Bondi highlighted that Dr. Moore had provided his patients with choices in a time when the government did not, suggesting that his actions did not warrant the severe penalties he was facing.
The motion to dismiss the charges was filed on Saturday by Felice John Viti, acting U.S. attorney for Utah, who described this dismissal as being in the "interests of justice." The case had been progressing toward trial, with jury selection set to begin in Salt Lake City. The trial was expected to last for approximately 15 days.
Dr. Moore had been indicted by a federal grand jury on January 11, 2023, alongside his clinic, the Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah, and several associates, including a neighbor. The indictment claimed that over $28,000 worth of government-supplied COVID-19 vaccine doses were illegally destroyed. In addition, the group was accused of issuing fraudulent vaccination record cards for over 1,900 doses of the vaccine, in exchange for cash or donations to specified charities. It was also alleged that some children were given saline shots at their parents' request, so they would believe they had received a genuine vaccine.
Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine activism prior to his role as the nation's health official, publicly expressed support for Dr. Moore in April. On X, he commended Moore for his "courage and commitment to healing." During his confirmation hearings in January, Kennedy faced scrutiny for his refusal to accept the scientific consensus that childhood vaccines do not cause autism and that COVID-19 vaccines have saved millions of lives.
In addition to the legal developments, Bondi later revealed that Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia had brought Dr. Moore's case to her attention, suggesting that political factors might have influenced the decision to dismiss the charges.
This case reflects broader tensions surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and the various individuals who have challenged government mandates in the healthcare sector. The implications of Dr. Moore's dismissal resonate beyond his personal situation, spotlighting ongoing debates about medical freedom, vaccination policies, and trust in public health initiatives in the United States.
