A Texas doctor is charged with stealing nine doses of the coveted COVID-19 vaccine while working on a vaccination region, prosecutors announced Thursday.
Dr. Hasan Gokal, who worked with the Harris County Public Health System, is accused of stealing a vial containing the doses of a vaccination center in Humble on Dec. 29, said Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg in said a statement.
A week later, Gokal bragged to an employee about the theft, who then complained to his supervisors, Ogg said.
Gokal was later fired from his job.
Ogg said Gokal stole the doses to give to his family and friends, leaving those who needed them most without one.
“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,” Ogg said of Gokal. “What he did was illegal and he will be held accountable by law.”
Attorney Paul Doyle defended his client, arguing that the vaccine would have expired anyway.
“Dr. Gokal is a dedicated civil servant who ensures 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,” Doyle said in a statement to KHOU11 said.
‘Harris County would prefer that dr. Gokal wastes the vaccines and tries to disrespect the man’s reputation in the process of supporting this policy. We look forward to our day in court to rectify this wrong, ”the lawyer continued.
Gokal is sentenced to one year in prison and fined $ 4,000.