South Carolina nurse charged with producing fake COVID-19 vaccine cards following FBI investigation

The healthcare professional was charged in a three-count indictment with two counts of producing fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination record cards and one count of lying to federal investigators about her alleged role in producing the cards.

McDonald is now facing, if convicted, a potential sentence of five years in prison for lying to federal investigators and up to 15 years in prison for each count of making the fake coronavirus documents, according to the US Attorney's Office.

"She provided CDC Covid-19 Vaccination Record Cards to individuals and had personally filled out the individuals' identifying information and lot numbers for vaccines she knew had not been administered to those individuals," the indictment reads. The indictment alleges that McDonald, who worked as the director of nursing services at a skilled nursing and rehabilitation center in Columbia, produced the fraudulent vaccine cards on June 20 and July 28.

The indictment further alleges that on Oct. 22, McDonald was questioned by federal agents with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and lied by stating she did not have access to the COVID-19 records and that she never produced a false or inaccurate vaccine card.

"The indictment alleges this was false because she had personally filled out vaccine cards for individuals she knew had not received a COVID-19 vaccine," the Department of Justice press release reads.

"Although the indictment speaks for itself, creating fraudulent or fake vaccine cards for those who have not been vaccinated poses a direct threat to the health of the people of South Carolina," commented Acting US Attorney DeHartin.

McDonald's arraignment was held on Friday. She pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted a $10,000 bond, according to the US Attorney's Office.

"Producing fraudulent vaccination cards is a serious matter and is not taken lightly. Anyone leading or participating in this type of activity should know there will be consequences," Susan Ferensic, the FBI special agent in charge of the bureau's Columbia field office, stated in the press release.

San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane was accused of submitting a fake COVID-19 vaccine card in October, jeapordizing the athlete's multi-million dollar contract.

On Oct. 18, the NHL suspended Kane for 21 games over the protocol violation.

"I made a mistake, one I sincerely regret and take responsibility for. During my suspension, I will continue to participate in counseling to help me make better decisions in the future. When my suspension is over, I plan to return to the ice with great effort, determination, and love for the game of hockey," Kane said in a statement released by the NHLPA, apologizing to his teammates, the San Jose Sharks organization, and "all Sharks fans" for his conduct.