By Steve Neavling
The FBI is investigating three Vermont State Police troopers for allegedly making fake COVID-19 vaccination cards.
The troopers, Shawn Sommers, Raymond Witkowski and David Pfindel, have resigned, according to a state police statement obtained by VTDigger.
The troopers “are suspected of having varying roles in the creation of fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards,” the statement reads.
The investigation began after fellow troopers notified their supervisors about the allegations.
It wasn’t immediately clear what the bogus vaccination cards were for.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also is investigating.
“The accusations in this case involve an extraordinary level of misconduct — a criminal violation of the law — and I could not be more upset and disappointed,” said Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, director of the Vermont State Police.
“If these allegations are proved to be true,” he said, “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.”
