Feds Dismiss Case Against Surgeon Accused of Vaccine Fraud \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The federal government dropped all charges against Dr. Michael Kirk Moore, a Utah plastic surgeon accused of discarding COVID-19 vaccines and distributing fake vaccination cards. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the dismissal, stating Moore offered patients a “choice” the government refused. The indictment stemmed from Biden-era policies and alleged over 1,900 fraudulent vaccine entries.
Quick Looks
- Case Dismissed: Charges against Dr. Michael Moore dropped by DOJ
- Allegations: Discarded COVID-19 vaccines, gave saline to children
- Fake Records: Over 1,900 fraudulent vaccination cards issued
- Trial Status: Jury selection had begun in Salt Lake City
- Charges Carried: Up to 35 years in prison
- Dismissal Reason: “In the interest of justice,” per U.S. Attorney
- Supporters: Pam Bondi, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Health Sec. RFK Jr.
- Controversy: Dismissal signals shifting federal stance on pandemic-era prosecutions
Deep Look
Charges Dropped Against Utah Surgeon Accused in COVID-19 Vaccine Fraud Case
In a dramatic reversal of a high-profile federal prosecution, the U.S. Department of Justice on Saturday dismissed all charges against Dr. Michael Kirk Moore, a Utah plastic surgeon accused of throwing away COVID-19 vaccines, injecting children with saline instead of the vaccine, and issuing thousands of fake vaccination cards during the height of the pandemic.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that the case had been dropped at her direction, framing the decision as a restoration of patient autonomy.
“Dr. Moore gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so,” Bondi wrote. “He did not deserve the years in prison he was facing. It ends today.”
The dismissal, filed by acting U.S. Attorney Felice John Viti in Salt Lake City, stated that the action was taken “in the interests of justice.” The federal trial had just begun earlier in the week, with jury selection underway and proceedings expected to last 15 days.
Moore, who runs the Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah in Midvale, was originally indicted in January 2023, under the Biden administration. He and multiple co-defendants were facing charges including conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government, conversion of government property, and aiding and abetting in the alleged vaccine fraud scheme. If convicted, they could have faced up to 35 years in federal prison.
Allegations of Fake Vaccines and Record Tampering
The federal indictment alleged that Moore’s clinic deliberately destroyed over $28,000 worth of federally supplied COVID-19 vaccine doses. In their place, some children were allegedly injected with saline solution, often at the request of parents who did not want their children vaccinated but wanted documentation saying otherwise.
More than 1,900 fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine cards were reportedly issued in exchange for cash or donations to a specific charitable organization. Federal prosecutors described it as a sophisticated scheme designed to undermine public health efforts during the pandemic.
The allegations made headlines nationwide and became symbolic of broader public resistance to pandemic mandates and vaccine protocols.
Political and Public Reactions
The case took a political turn as prominent figures came to Moore’s defense. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist before his appointment to the Biden-successor administration, publicly supported Moore in April.
“Dr. Moore deserves a medal for his courage and his commitment to healing!” Kennedy wrote on X.
During his own confirmation hearings, Kennedy faced bipartisan scrutiny for refusing to affirm that COVID-19 vaccines saved lives or that childhood vaccines do not cause autism, positions that align with Moore’s actions during the pandemic.
Attorney General Bondi’s decision to drop the charges followed a request brought to her attention by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican and outspoken critic of pandemic policies. In a follow-up post, Bondi acknowledged Greene’s role in highlighting the case to the DOJ.
Legal Community Split
Legal experts remain divided on the implications of the dismissal. Supporters argue that it represents a necessary correction after what they consider to be overzealous federal prosecution tied to pandemic-era policies. Critics, however, see the dismissal as a dangerous precedent, potentially undermining future public health efforts and accountability.
The Justice Department has not issued a formal press release beyond the motion to dismiss, and officials in Salt Lake City, including acting U.S. Attorney Viti, did not immediately return requests for comment.
For Moore and his supporters, the case’s end is viewed as vindication. For public health officials and many in the legal community, it may mark a troubling shift in how COVID-era crimes are prosecuted—or no longer pursued.
Feds Dismiss Case Feds Dismiss Case
