Doctor stole COVID-19 vaccines and was caught for showing it off | The State

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Dr. Hasan Gokal was fired and charged with stealing nine doses of the coveted COVID-19 vaccine while working at a vaccination site in Texas.

Gokal, who worked with the Harris County Public Health System, was charged with stealing doses from a vaccination site in Humble on Dec. 29, District Attorney Kim Ogg announced in a statement.

A week later, Gokal bragged about the robbery with a co-worker, who then reported it to his supervisors, said Prosecutor Ogg.

According to the prosecution, Gokal stole the doses to give to his family and friends, to the detriment of other people with higher priority.

“Abused his position to put their friends and family in line in front of people who had gone through the legal process to be there, ”the prosecutor denounced. He now faces up to a year in jail and a $ 4,000 fine.

Attorney Paul Doyle defended his client arguing that the vaccines would have expired anyway. The doctor. Gokal is a dedicated public servant who made sure that doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that would otherwise have expired went to the arms of people who met the criteria to receive it, “he said in a statement to KHOU11.

A former Harris County Public Health doctor is fighting accusations that he stole a vial of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine last month. https://t.co/d0OuXHYKkB

– KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) January 23, 2021