Covid-19

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Eight months into the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and its law enforcement partners are taking an increasingly aggressive approach to investigating and pursuing allegations of fraud related to federal relief programs designed to aid small businesses and their employees. Over the past week, the DOJ announced charges against 11 individuals in connection with two different COVID-19 relief fraud schemes. In each case, the individuals sought to illegally obtain millions of dollars in relief funds guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Continue Reading COVID-19 Relief Fraud Prosecutions Target Increasingly Sophisticated Schemes

Although COVID-19 is occupying a lot of regulatory resources, Attorneys General are continuing their consumer protection mission, including watching out for deceptive claims related to stem cell therapy and other medical treatments. Attorneys General are particularly concerned about businesses making unsupported claims suggesting their services or procedures can treat or cure disease.

Continue Reading Attorneys General Target Unsupported Medical Treatment Claims

Now that some businesses are attempting to re-open and must sanitize their locations for employees and the public, Attorneys General will vigilantly monitor for unsupported claims that products can cure or prevent the transmission of COVID-19. They will also watch for claims that a location using these products will be safe for the public. Several Attorneys General have already initiated enforcement actions and issued cease and desist letters admonishing companies who made such representations, and more are sure to follow.

Continue Reading Attorneys General Are on the Watch for COVID-19 Related Scams