A federal court has found former Chicago pharmacist, Tangtang Zhao, guilty of selling COVID-19 vaccination cards online. During a three-week period between March and April 2021, Zhao listed 650 cards as “authentic” and “straight from the CDC.” Roughly 200 unique buyers purchased 630 of the vaccination cards from Zhao for more than $5,600.
When It Happened
Authorities arrested Zhao in August 2021 and charged him with selling the cards on eBay. The former pharmacist had been employed with Company 1, a pharmacy that distributed and administered COVID-19 vaccines at its physical locations nationwide.
At the time of his arrest, Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division stated, “We take seriously, and will vigorously investigate, any criminal offense that contributes to the distrust around vaccines and vaccination status.”
Special Agent in Charge Emmerson Buie Jr. of the FBI’s Chicago Field Office agreed with the Assistant Attorney General adding:
Knowingly selling COVID vaccination cards to unvaccinated individuals puts millions of Americans at risk of serious injury or death.
If Convicted
The former Chicago pharmacist stood in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheila M. Finnegan of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for the first time on August 17, 2021.
In addition to the FBI, the HHS-OIG also investigated the case. Prosecuting the case was Trial Attorney Leslie S. Garthwaite of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.
On June 23, 2023, a jury convicted Zhao of 12 counts of theft of government property. The former Chicago pharmacist if scheduled to appear back in court on Nov. 28, 2023, for his sentencing. If Zhao is found guilty he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
WGN 9: Chicago pharmacist found guilty after stealing, selling COVID-19 cards online
U.S. Department of Justice: Pharmacist Arrested for Selling COVID Vaccination Cards Online
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Top and Featured Image by New York Guard Capt. Mark Getman Courtesy of New York National Guard‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Puddin Tain‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
