Exonerated Doctor Files $1 Million Lawsuit Against Harris County

HOUSTON, TX — An exonerated former employee of Harris County Public Health who was accused of stealing a vial of Moderna vaccine filed a discrimination lawsuit against Harris County on Tuesday seeking in excess of $1 million.

Dr. Hasan Gokal was hired by Harris County Public Health in April 2020 and helped in the department's efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. He was fired by the HCPH on Jan. 7.

The firing stemmed from an incident on Dec. 29 at a vaccination site in Humble. In the lawsuit, Gokal said a new vial was opened shortly before the site closed, and the 10 doses left over would expire shortly after. Gokal said he began contacting people to receive the vaccine after failing to find an unvaccinated staff member at the site that wanted the vaccine and contacting a superior. He said he administered the remaining doses that night, the last to his wife, who he claims has underlying health conditions, when all options had been exhausted.

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Gokal said HCPH fired him because he administered the vaccine to too many people with "Indian-sounding names", according to the lawsuit.

HCPH filed a complaint with the Texas Medical Board, which was dismissed in March, according to the lawsuit. The Harris County Attorney's Office charged him with theft by a public servant, but the charge failed to receive an indictment, according to court records.