Columbia, SC – The grimy details of a federal crime hit close to home as 53-year-old Tammy McDonald, Director of Nursing Services at a Columbia rehabilitation center, faces charges for producing fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine cards.
Acting U.S. Attorney M. Rhett DeHart announced that a grand jury indicted McDonald on three counts, including two for producing fake vaccination records and one for lying to federal investigators about her role in the scheme.
‘Creating fraudulent or fake vaccine cards is a direct threat to public health,’ DeHart warned. ‘Our office will continue to pursue those who exploit the pandemic for personal gain.’ Special Agent Derrick L. Jackson of HHS OIG echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of collaboration with law enforcement partners in combating such fraud.
According to the indictment, McDonald produced fake cards on June 20 and July 28, 2021, and lied during an October interview by claiming she had no knowledge of creating false vaccine records. The lies were exposed as she had personally filled out vaccine cards for unvaccinated individuals.
Much to the chagrin of her defense team, McDonald pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted a $10,000 bond. Each count of producing fraudulent COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards carries a potential 15-year sentence, with lying to federal investigators meriting up to five years.
The investigation was conducted by HHS and FBI with support from SLED, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Derek A. Shoemake. All charges are merely accusations, and McDonald is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Related Federal Cases
- Greer PPP Crook Gets 6+ Years · South Carolina
- FDIC Appoints Five New Members to Advisory Committee on Community Banking · Mississippi
- Altoona First Savings Bank CEO Troy Campbell Named to FDIC Advisory Committee · Pennsylvania
- 23andMe Faces Legal Fire for Genetic Data Sale · Washington
- Murdaugh’s Empire Tumbles: Drug Kingpin in Court Again · South Carolina
Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News