Grafton Police Arrest Pharmacist for Intentionally Destroying Multiple Vials of the COVID-19 Vaccinations at Advocate Aurora Health Hospital in Grafton

Grafton, WI (December 31, 2020) — A former employee of the Advocate Aurora Health Hospital in Grafton has been arrested this afternoon or tampering with and causing the destruction of 57 vials containing 570 does of the novel Coronavirus vaccine.

Grafton Police were called to the Advocate Aurora Health Hospital in Grafton on Wednesday, December 30, dodo, on a report that a former employee of the pharmacy had intentionally removed the vaccines from the refrigerated storage and left them to sit out overnight, rendering about 570 doses of the vaccine “useless” according to health professionals. Grafton Police immediately began investigating to determine a motive and what, if any, criminal charges could be filed.

The investigation revealed that a former Pharmacist — a resident of Grafton, removed the vials from the refrigerated storage knowing they would not be usable. Aurora’s preliminary investigation into the incident, which was initially reported in the news on Saturday, December 26, 2020, determined the incident to be accidental. However, after receiving additional information, the public safety sector of Aurora Health began a deeper dive into the incident and discovered that the vials were intentionally removed by the pharmacist. In a written statement to Aurora Health Public Safety Officials, the former employee admitted to intentionally removing the vaccine knowing that in not properly store the vaccine would be ineffective.

Grafton Police Detectives noted that 57 doses of the vaccine were distributed to patients, but according to health officials at Aurora, they indicated there is no health concerns related to spoiled doses. The doses are effectively “useless.” The value of the spoiled doses was estimated to be between $8,000 and $11,000. Grafton detectives indicate that the individual knew the spoiled vaccinations would be useless and that people who received the vaccinations would think they had been vaccinated against the virus when in fact they were not.

Grafton Police arrested the former Aurora Health employee on recommended charges of First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety (Class F felony), Adulterating a Prescription Drug (Class H felony), and Criminal Damage to Property (Class I felony). He is currently being held in the Ozaukee County jail. The name of the suspect is being withheld at this time pending his formal advisement of charges.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.