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Pharmacist pleads guilty to federal charges for intentionally sabotaging COVID vaccines

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Grafton Police DepartmentBy IVAN PEREIERA, SASHA PEZENIK, and ALEXANDER MALLIN, ABC News

(GRAFTON, Wis.) — A Wisconsin pharmacist pleaded guilty to two federal charges Tuesday and admitted that he tampered with over 500 doses of a coronavirus vaccine, the Department of Justice announced.

Steven Brandenburg, 46, of Grafton, Wisconsin, faces up to 20 years in person on two counts of attempting to tamper with consumer products with reckless disregard for the risk that another person will be placed in danger of death or bodily injury, the Justice Department said in a statement.

Brandenburg admitted to removing 57 vials of the Moderna vaccine from cold storage at Advocate Aurora Health Hospital on Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, leaving them out to spoil overnight, according to federal prosecutors. The suspect said he was skeptical of vaccines in general and the Moderna vaccine specifically, according to the plea agreement.

“Tampering with vaccine doses in the midst of a global health crisis calls for a strong response, as reflected by the serious charges the United States has brought today,” acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division said in a statement.

Brandenburg’s attorney declined to comment about the deal.

“The FDA has ensured that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine meets the agency’s rigorous standards for quality, safety, and efficacy,” FDA Assistant Commissioner for Criminal Investigations Catherine A. Hermsen said in a statement.

About 57 doses from the tampered vials were distributed to patients, according to federal prosecutors.

Brandenburg was arrested on New Year’s Eve. He was released conditionally to his home four days later after Wisconsin prosecutors said they needed more time for test results from Moderna to determine the exact damage the pharmacist caused when he tampered with the 57 vials, each of which contained about 100 doses.

Last week, Ozaukee County District Attorney Adam Gerol said tests were still ongoing, but “the best evidence at this point is that the vaccine remains viable.”

Brandenburg’s sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

'Lovecraft Country' creator Misha Green to make her directorial debut with 'Tomb Raider' sequel

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Manny Carabel/Getty Images–© 2017 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PICTURES INC./Graham Bartholomew(LOS ANGELES) — Lovecraft Country creator Misha Green has set her directorial debut.

According to Deadline, Green will direct and write the upcoming sequel to Tomb Raider. Based on the Sony PlayStation video game, the new action film will once again star Oscar winner Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft.

Croft was first played by Angelina Jolie in 2001’s Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and its sequel Lara Croft: Tomb Raider — The Cradle of Life. However, Vikander took over the role in the 2018 remake of the film, which was timed for a successful reboot of the game.

This is the latest project for Green, who is the driving force behind Lovecraft Country, the breakout HBO series that stars Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors and Michael Kenneth Williams.

Prior to that, Green co-created, executive-produced and wrote the WGN series Underground, which was one of the first scripted U.S. TV shows that focused on slavery and the Underground Railroad.

By Candice Williams
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Kevin Hart to join Cate Blanchett in big screen bow of video game Borderlands 

Jason Aldean hosting livestream to celebrate Wolf Moon Bourbon

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ABCJason Aldean is raising a glass to his Wolf Moon Bourbon.

The “Dirt Road Anthem” singer is commemorating the one-year anniversary of the libation he co-created with Florida Georgia Line with a virtual event that includes a 30-minute, stripped down set from the singer himself, marking his first live performance in nearly a year.

In addition to the performance, fans drinking Wolf Moon during the interactive livestream may appear on-screen. A limited number of fans will also be randomly selected for a VIP experience that includes a chat session with Jason after the show. 

Wolf Moon Bourbon on the Rocks streams on January 28, the same night as the first full moon of the year, on VYE at 9 p.m. ET.  Tickets are free to reserve. 

By Cillea Houghton 
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Elliot Page and Emma Portner announce divorce after three years of marriage

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Elliot Page, and their spouse of three years, Emma Portner, have issued a joint statement to announce their plans to end their relationship, after three years of marriage.

“After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce following our separation last summer,” a statement obtained by ABC Audio read in part. “We have the utmost respect for each other and remain close friends,” it concluded.

The Oscar nominated Juno star and their dance teacher partner were married in 2018; TMZ reports their divorce papers were filed in a Manhattan court.

Last year, Page declared that their name was Elliot, and they were trans. The announcement was met with support from friends both famous and not, including Portner, who said in part, “Elliot’s existence is a gift in and of itself. Shine on sweet E. Love you so much, Elliot.”

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

John David Washington talks following in the footsteps of his Oscar-winning dad, Denzel Washington

• No Comments • Entertainment News

Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Before John David Washington, his father, Denzel Washington, rightfully held the title as Hollywood’s leading man.

The former athlete tells The Wall Street Journal he always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his two-time Oscar-winning dad, even if he couldn’t admit it. 

“I always wanted to do what he did, always wanted to be an artist,” says John David. “I jumped in and hid in this football persona, this athlete, literally putting on a helmet to hide my face, hide my identity.”

While attending Morehouse College as a football star, Washington suffered a leg injury in 2013, which prevented him from pursing a professional football career. A year later, he auditioned and landed for a role as NFL wide receiver Ricky Jerret on the HBO series, Ballers, which he secretly held back from his father. 

“I just wanted to prove to myself that I could do it,” John David continues. “I’ll never forget how he expressed how proud he was of me. That was a great moment for me.”

Following 2018’s BlacKkKlansman, John David starred in 2020’s Tenet, which earned over $363 million worldwide, even during the pandemic.

Washington recalls entering a “dramatic” place for his next role in the upcoming film, Malcolm & Marie, alongside Zendaya. Shot under strict COVID-19 safety protocols last June, the film follows Washington and Zendaya as a not-so-perfect couple who return home after a movie premiere. As he eagerly awaits what the critics have to say, the two are left in their house alone, to discuss their relationship.

“I went from the biggest-budget film in my career [Tenet] to the lowest-budget film within a six-month time frame,” he adds. “I was like, ‘this is survival,’ but hey, if this is the last thing I get to do, I truly believe in it.”

Malcolm & Marie premieres on Netflix February 5.

By Rachel George
Copyright © 2021, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.