Holly MatkinWaterbury, VT – Three Vermont State Police (VSP) troopers have resigned amid allegations they were involved in a scheme involving fake COVID-19 vaccination cards.
The now-former troopers, David Pfindel, Raymond Witkowski, and Shawn Sommers, are currently under federal investigation, WLNE reported.
Witkowski and Sommers resigned from the VSP on Aug. 10 after a fellow trooper told supervisors about the alleged fake COVID card scheme, according to the news outlet.
Pfindel resigned from the force on Sept. 3.
The VSP did not provide details about what, exactly, the three former troopers were allegedly doing.
“The accusations in this case involve an extraordinary level of misconduct — a criminal violation of the law — and I could not be more upset and disappointed,” VSP Director Colonel Matthew Birmingham told WLNE. “If these allegations are proved to be true, it is reprehensible that state troopers would manipulate vaccination cards in the midst of a pandemic, when being vaccinated is one of the most important steps anyone can take to keep their community safe from COVID-19.”
The VSP immediately notified the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Burlington and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about the allegations against the three troopers, WLNE reported.
The FBI refused to comment on the case since it is an ongoing investigation, according to CNBC.
The VSP said the three troopers had “varying roles” in the creation of the vaccination cards.
Pfindel was hired by the VSP in January of 2014, the agency said.
Witkowski and Sommers joined the VSP in July of 2016.
“I’m embarrassed that this situation has occurred and know that it has tarnished the reputation of the Vermont State Police,” Col. Birmingham said. “That said, the alleged criminal conduct from these troopers does not represent the values and actions of the dedicated men and women of the Vermont State Police.”
