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COVID-19

Registered Nurse Pleads Guilty to Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards Fraud

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A registered nurse from the Veteran's Hospital in Detroit has pleaded guilty to charges related to Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards fraud. Bethann Kierczak, 37, of Southgate, admitted to stealing authentic Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards from the VA hospital and reselling them to individuals in the metro Detroit community. The theft began at least as early as May 2021 and continued through September 2021, with Kierczak selling the cards for $150-$200 each. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Particka, with the investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), VA Police Detroit, and the Medicare Fraud Strike Force (MFSF) partners.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bethann Kierczak, a registered nurse, pleaded guilty to theft of government funds related to Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards fraud.
  • Kierczak admitted to stealing authentic Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards from the VA hospital and reselling them to individuals in the metro Detroit community.
  • The theft began at least as early as May 2021 and continued through September 2021.
  • Kierczak sold the cards for $150-$200 each, primarily via Facebook Messenger.
  • The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Particka.
  • The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG), VA Police Detroit, and the Medicare Fraud Strike Force (MFSF) partners.

Statistics:

  • 37: Age of Bethann Kierczak, the registered nurse who pleaded guilty to Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards fraud.
  • $150-$200: The price range at which Kierczak sold the Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards.
  • May 2021: The earliest known date of the theft, according to court records.
  • September 2021: The latest known date of the theft, according to court records.
  • 866-720-5721: The phone number of the Department of Justice's National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline.

Sources:

  • United States Department of Justice News
  • "Department of Justice Announces COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force" (May 17, 2021)
  • "National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline" (https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form)
  • "U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG)" (https://www.va.gov/oig/)

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