Central Pa. police officers fired for turning in fake COVID-19 vaccination cards

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Two Lancaster City police officers lost their jobs this week after authorities discovered they’d submitted fake coronavirus vaccination cards, according to news reports. Officers Heather Schaeffer and Benjamin Lapp violated the city’s COVID-19 reporting policy when they turned in the cards, therefore lying about being vaccinated, according to a LancasterOnline review of the termination letters.

Jess King, chief of staff to Mayor Danene Sorace, reportedly told the news outlet earlier this year that employees are strongly encouraged but not required to get vaccinated. Schaeffer got a blank vaccination card from her cousin, who is in the military and involved with vaccination efforts, according to LancasterOnline. Schaeffer then made a copy of the blank card and sold it to Lapp for $20, the website reported.

Capt. Richard Mendez caught onto the scheme because Schaeffer and Lapp were openly talking about it at work, LancasterOnline said. Schaeffer reportedly had other blank vaccination cards that she might have been selling. On Friday the Lancaster Bureau of Police said Schaeffer and Lapp were fired for “violating required standards of conduct, for conduct unbecoming an officer and for conduct suggesting they are unfit for service as police officers.” No additional information was provided.

The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office opened a criminal investigation on Sept. 29, according to LancasterOnline. District Attorney Heather Adams declined to comment to the news outlet.
Schaeffer was sworn in in March 2017 and was making $72,349 at the time she was fired, LancasterOnline said. The news outlet said
Lapp was hired in August 2016 and making $79,622 upon termination.

https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2021/10/central-pa-police-officers-fired-for-turning-in-fake-covid-19-vaccination-cards-report.html