Brandenburg later told investigators he believed the vaccine was unsafe.
"On the morning of December 26, 2020, 57 individuals at the Grafton Facility received doses of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine that Brandenburg had previously removed from refrigeration. Efforts to determine whether Brandenburg’s misconduct had rendered those doses inert or otherwise harmful are ongoing," the plea agreement reads.
Co-workers told investigators Brandenburg believed in various conspiracy theories. He was also going through a divorce, and his actions with the vaccine led a judge to suspend his custody and visitation with his children.
Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol said Moderna scientists believe the vaccine can withstand 24 hours at room temperature without losing effectiveness. The doses Brandenburg left out were outside refrigeration for three hours on one night and nine on another.