Pandemic Darlings The pandemic economy, in original documents
Home Source documents U.S. Attorney Brady Appoints Experienced Prosecutor to Fight COVID-19 Fraud

U.S. Attorney Brady Appoints Experienced Prosecutor to Fight COVID-19 Fraud

Summary

A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania of Tuesday, March 17, 2020. United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced the appointment of a COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator to lead investigations into potential fraud arising from the coronavirus outbreak. The release states that Attorney General William Barr has asked U.S. Attorneys nationwide to remain vigilant, and quotes Brady saying the pandemic is dangerous enough without wrongdoers seeking to profit from public panic.

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

Full text

You are here

Justice News

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Western District of Pennsylvania

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

U.S. Attorney Brady Appoints Experienced Prosecutor to Fight COVID-19 Fraud

PITTSBURGH - United States Attorney Scott W. Brady today announced the appointment of a COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator to lead investigations into potential fraud schemes perpetrated as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Attorney General William Barr has asked U.S. Attorneys nationwide to remain vigilant in detecting, investigating and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the crisis. "The pandemic is dangerous enough without wrongdoers seeking to profit from public panic and this sort of conduct cannot be tolerated," Attorney General Barr said.

"Scammers are using email phishing schemes claiming to be from legitimate health organizations, advertising counterfeit virus test kits, and fraudulently seeking donations for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations, all in an effort to exploit people’s anxiety and uncertainty," said U.S. Attorney Brady. "We will prioritize the investigation and prosecution of fraud related to the COVID-19 virus in order to protect the people of western Pennsylvania. All fraudsters should know that if you cross a state line, use your phone or the internet, DOJ can and will prosecute your crime."

As part of the strategy, Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaun Sweeney, a Senior Litigation Counsel, will serve as the COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator, and will oversee the prosecution of fraud resulting from virus scammers.

"AUSA Sweeney is an experienced and talented federal prosecutor who will lead our work to stop individuals who are taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak," U.S. Attorney Brady added.

In addition the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s website now contains a front page button where visitors can quickly report fraud to the office and/or to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Western Pennsylvanians who believe they may have been the target or victim of a virus-related fraud scheme should visit www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa and provide detailed information about their experience.

Topic(s):

Consumer Protection

Disaster Fraud

Component(s):

USAO - Pennsylvania, Western

Updated March 17, 2020

File and source

File
usao-wdpa-pr-us-attorney-brady-appoints-experienced-prosecutor-fight-covid-19-fraud.html
Size
45,906 bytes
SHA-256
190c83eb992346e7aa2ea85dffb3b11ce2dcb3eca282317a9b19ba991ee0d267
Our copy
usao-wdpa-pr-us-attorney-brady-appoints-experienced-prosecutor-fight-covid-19-fraud.html
Original
www.justice.gov
Back to top