The Florida Supreme Court last week approved Gov. Ron DeSantis’ petition for a statewide grand jury to investigate criminal activity and wrongdoing related to the development, testing and promotion of the COVID-19 vaccines in the state.

In its order impaneling the 18-member grand jury for a period of 12 months, the high court stressed that its responsibility for approving the grand jury investigation was “ministerial in nature,” as opposed to a ruling on the merits of the governor’s petition.

DeSantis’ petition alleges that pharmaceutical companies and individuals created perceptions that the vaccines prevented any transmission of the virus – and that they had a financial motive to do this.