The Florida Supreme Court has granted Governor Ron DeSantis' request to convene a grand jury to investigate claims of harm allegedly caused by the COVID-19 mRNA vaccines manufactured by Pfizer and Moderna.
On December 13, DeSantis hosted a roundtable discussion on vaccine accountability with Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. During the discussion, he announced his plans for a petition. The presiding judge for the petition will be Chief Judge Ronald Ficarrotta of the 13th Judicial Circuit.
DeSantis revealed the formation of a new health advisory committee in Florida, named the Public Health Integrity Committee, to be supervised by Ladapo, as well as the petition for a grand jury. The board members of the committee have been announced:
- Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD
- Martin Kuldorff, PhD
- Tracy Beth Høeg, MD, PhD
- Joseph Fraiman, MD
- Christine Stabell Benn, MD, PhD
- Bret Weinstein, PhD
- Steven Templeton, PhD
DeSantis has requested a grand jury investigation, claiming that individuals and companies with financial incentives pushed for the use of mRNA vaccines mandated by the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in certain perceptions being created.
The Florida Supreme Court's order shows that there was no unanimity among the justices. Chief Justice Carlos G. Muñiz and Justices Charles T. Canady, Ricky Polston, John D. Couriel, and Jamie R. Grosshans voted in favor of empanelling the jury, whereas Justice Jorge Labarga voted against it. The vote did not involve Justice Renatha Francis, who is the newest member of the state's highest court.
The approved panel will investigate the claims made by Florida officials regarding the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. They are questioning the accuracy of the representations that the vaccines will effectively end the pandemic and viral transmission of COVID-19.
It has been reported that the petition will investigate infractions of the Florida Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Florida Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, as well as crimes that involve deception or fraud.
According to the governor's office, the jury will investigate the pharmaceutical industry and the US FDA for not releasing patient-level data to independent researchers. They will also investigate any crimes or wrongdoings in Florida related to COVID-19 vaccines and recommend enforcement methods.
