COVID

Williamsburg County Sheriff and Former Supervisor Charged in Corruption Scandal Involving Misuse of COVID Relief Funds

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Columbia, S.C. — Authorities in South Carolina have brought corruption charges against two former Williamsburg County officials, as disclosed in a recent announcement from the State Attorney General’s Office. Sheriff Stephen Renard Gardner, 50, and former county supervisor Tiffany Cooks, 51, face multiple charges, including criminal conspiracy and money laundering. Gardner, who took office in 2017 after previously serving as the department’s chief deputy, has been indicted for a series of alleged offenses. These charges range from criminal conspiracy, potentially carrying a prison term of up to five years, to money laundering involving sums between … Read more

Judge Confirms $7.8 Million Verdict in COVID Vaccine Lawsuit Involving BART Employees

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San Francisco, CA — A federal judge has confirmed a $7.8 million jury verdict awarded to a former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) employee. The employee alleged wrongful termination after raising concerns over the agency’s handling of COVID-19 safety measures, including its vaccine mandate. This decision reinforces the consequences faced by employers for disregarding worker rights, especially during public health crises. The case centered around David Joules, who claimed he was dismissed for his vocal opposition to BART’s mandated coronavirus vaccinations which he argued were implemented without proper consideration of staff feedback. Joules, who had … Read more

$12 Million Verdict for Catholic Woman Fired Over COVID Vaccine Exemption Claim

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Detroit, MI — A federal jury recently ordered Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to pay $12 million to a former employee who claimed religious discrimination after being terminated for refusing a COVID-19 vaccination. The Catholic woman, who worked remotely, had sought a religious exemption, which the health insurance giant denied. The court’s decision underscores a significant confrontation between employer mandates and individual religious rights amidst the ongoing global health crisis. The jurors concurred that the dismissal constituted both religious discrimination and an illegal termination of employment. The case arrives at a contentious time when … Read more

Catholic IT Specialist Wins $12.7 Million in Groundbreaking COVID Vaccine Exemption Case

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Detroit, MI – In a significant legal decision, a Detroit jury has awarded Lisa Domski, a Catholic IT specialist from Wyandotte, over $12 million after she was dismissed by her employer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM), for refusing a COVID-19 vaccine on religious grounds. The verdict, rendered on Friday, highlights the ongoing tension between workplace health mandates and individual religious freedoms. Domski, who has been with BCBSM for 38 years, sought an exemption from the company’s vaccine mandate, citing her devout Catholic beliefs. Despite providing a detailed written statement and backing from her … Read more