According to a news release issued on Thursday afternoon, dr. Hasan Gokal is accused of stealing the nine-dose vial while working at the vaccination site in Lyndsay Lyons Park in Humble on December 29.
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A week later, Gokal told a Harris County Public Health Officer, who then reported him to supervisors. The misuse of a vaccine could lead to a loss of government funding to the county, according to Harris County Public Health officials, who first investigated the case that led to Gokal being fired.
“He abused his position to put his friends and family in line in front of people who had gone through the legal process of being there,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said. “What he did was illegal and he will be held accountable under the law.”
Gokal is being prosecuted by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office of the Public Corruption Division. He is charged with theft by a government official. The Class A offense carries up to one year in prison and a $ 4,000 fine.
ABCTR’s sister station KTRK has reached out for comment at Harris County Public Health. A spokesman issued the following statement:
“I can confirm that all the details in the news release sent by the DA office are accurate. Harris County Public Health acted immediately when it learned of improper handling of vaccines, to include warning authorities. As it is a ongoing investigation, we need to refer you back to the DA’s office for comment or interviews. ‘
Meanwhile, Gokal’s lawyer, Paul Doyle, sent the following statement:
“Dr. Gokal is a dedicated civil servant who oversees that the dose of COVID-19 vaccines that would otherwise have expired was in the arms of people who meet the criteria to receive it. Harris County would have preferred that Dr. Gokal “The vaccines would go to waste. and endeavor to disrespect this man’s reputation in the process of supporting this policy. We look forward to our day in court to correct this wrong.”
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Gokal was one of the faces of Harris County Public Health during the pandemic, which appeared in videos and on city hall panels.
According to online records, he has a good reputation with the Texas Medical Board and has been practicing medicine for 21 years, including nine years in Texas.
“If the accusation against Dr. Gokal is true, he has committed a significant breach of public confidence in the medical profession,” said Woods Nash, an assistant professor of bioethics and medical humanities at the University of Houston College of Medicine, said. “We trust doctors and other healthcare professionals to put the interests of their patients and the public above their own goals and desires. The expectation of altruism is not altered by the pandemic. The pandemic increases the urgency of self-interest that is contrary to public property. ‘
Gokal was not arrested and a court hearing was not instituted.
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