Federal authorities withdraw accusations against the esteemed medical professional aiding patients to bypass stringent COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
In January 2023, Dr. Michael Kirk Moore, a Utah-based plastic surgeon, found himself in the spotlight following accusations by the U.S. Department of Justice. Moore, along with his corporation (Plastic Surgery Institute of Utah Inc.) and several co-defendants, was indicted on several federal charges related to alleged actions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Accusations against Moore included the destruction of over $28,000 worth of government-provided COVID-19 vaccines, the issuance of at least 1,937 counterfeit CDC-issued COVID-19 vaccination record cards to individuals who did not receive the vaccine, and administering saline shots to patients, including minors, at their request, instead of the actual vaccine.
The government alleged that Moore’s actions enabled people to falsely claim vaccination status and bypass public health requirements during the pandemic. Moore and his co-defendants faced serious charges, including conspiracy to defraud the government and conspiracy to convert, sell, convey, and dispose of government property, with potential sentences of up to 35 years in prison.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the charges against Moore were dropped in July 2025. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the dismissal, stating it was “in the interests of justice.” This decision was formally requested by the acting U.S. Attorney for Utah, Felice John Viti.
The dismissal was justified on social media by Attorney General Bondi, who wrote: “Dr. Moore gave his patients a choice when the federal government refused to do so… He did not deserve the years in prison he was facing. It ends today.” This statement suggests the DOJ concluded that Moore’s actions—while in direct violation of federal regulations—warranted leniency, possibly due to arguments that he acted on moral grounds to respect patient autonomy rather than for profit.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between individual autonomy, public health mandates, and federal law enforcement priorities during the pandemic. While Moore's actions were considered by some as heroic, they were also seen as undermining public health efforts and involving the destruction of valuable government property.
In summary, Dr. Moore was charged for enabling patients to avoid COVID-19 vaccinations through the destruction of vaccines, issuance of fake cards, and administration of saline shots. The charges were dropped at the direction of the U.S. Attorney General, who cited patient choice and the severity of the potential sentence as reasons for dismissal. The case underscores the complexities of balancing individual freedoms with public health during a pandemic.
- The drop in charges against Dr. Moore, despite his actions being in violation of federal regulations, sparked discussions in the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, questioning the balance between individual health-and-wellness, medical-conditions, and public health-requirements.
- As the case unfolded, it raised questions in science and general-news about the role of government during health crises and its ability to ensure vaccination mandates are followed, while still respecting patient autonomy.
- The dismissal of charges against Dr. Moore, while controversial for some, reflected the complex interplay between truth, ethics, and justice in the medical field, promoting further discussions in health-and-wellness and policy-and-legislation.
