Why Selling Fake Products In The Covid Era Can Send You To Jail
People may sell fake products for a number of reasons. Firstly, they may be genuinely unaware that their products are not genuine. Secondly, they may be confronted with desperate economic conditions, and they may have no other choice but to earn money by defrauding customers. But regardless of the defendant’s motives, it’s important to understand that selling fake goods in the Covid era can be especially problematic. These acts can lead to serious criminal consequences if you’re not careful.
If you have been charged with fraud or similar crimes, it makes sense to get in touch with a qualified, experienced criminal defense attorney in New York as soon as possible. With their assistance, you can strive for the best possible outcome. This may result in fewer criminal consequences, shorter prison sentences, or even perhaps the complete dismissal of charges. While this situation may seem daunting, there’s no sense in simply sitting back and accepting criminal consequences without putting up a fight in court. Book your consultation with an attorney as soon as possible after you have been charged.
Man Falsely Claims Cleaning Products Kill Covid Virus
On June 9th, it was reported that a man from New Jersey had pleaded guilty to a $2.7-million fraud involving falsely advertised cleaning products (1). Although this businessman claimed that his “GCLEAN” line of wipes and disinfectants were capable of killing the Covid-19 virus, they were completely ineffective against the viral strain (2). As a result, the 63-year-old is now facing a total of 26 years in prison due to these actions.
He was charged with a number of crimes, including:
- Knowingly distributing or selling an unregistered pesticide
- Wire fraud
- Presenting false claims to the United States
Prior to the pandemic, the defendant manufactured a variety of disinfecting liquids and wipes under three different companies based in New Jersey. These “GCLEAN” products were all unregistered pesticides, and none of them were listed by the EPA as being approved for use against Covid-19. Despite this, the defendant went ahead and placed falsified EPA registration numbers on the products and used false marketing to claim that the EPA had approved them for use against the virus.
This was of course a scheme to defraud his customers and convince them to purchase products during a time of mass hysteria and panic. It was a profitable endeavor, bringing in $2.7 million in profit. The customers include medical clinics, schools, and government agencies – all of which believed that they were using products that could stop the spread of Covid-19. In reality, these products were wholly ineffective.
Enlist the Help of a Qualified Attorney Today
For help from a skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorney, look no further than Phillip J. Murphy. Over the years, we have helped numerous defendants in the Empire State. We know that fraud and related charges can seem especially daunting. But the truth of the matter is that you can pursue positive results with the help of a qualified attorney. Book your consultation today for best results.
Sources:
justice.gov/opa/pr/new-jersey-business-owner-admits-defrauding-over-75-victims-more-27-million-nationwide-scheme
getg.com/G-CLEAN.php
