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2 Sought $4 Million for Face Masks That Didn’t Exist, U.S. Says 2 Sought $4 Million for Face Masks That Didn’t Exist, U.S. Says
(7 days later)
They wanted $4 million for a stockpile of face masks, but prosecutors say that the protective gear advertised by two Southern California men did not exist, and that they went as far as to put fake 3M labels on empty boxes.They wanted $4 million for a stockpile of face masks, but prosecutors say that the protective gear advertised by two Southern California men did not exist, and that they went as far as to put fake 3M labels on empty boxes.
Now, the two men, Donald Allen, 62, of Riverside, and Manuel Revolorio, 37, of Rancho Cucamonga, have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to a criminal complaint that was unsealed on Monday in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.Now, the two men, Donald Allen, 62, of Riverside, and Manuel Revolorio, 37, of Rancho Cucamonga, have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to a criminal complaint that was unsealed on Monday in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn.
Prosecutors said that Mr. Allen and Mr. Revolorio misrepresented to customers that their company, International Commerce and Investment Group, had been supplying health care providers with personal protective equipment since 2014, and that it had access to millions of face masks, both surgical and N95 respirators.Prosecutors said that Mr. Allen and Mr. Revolorio misrepresented to customers that their company, International Commerce and Investment Group, had been supplying health care providers with personal protective equipment since 2014, and that it had access to millions of face masks, both surgical and N95 respirators.
One of those customers tipped off federal agents, who then arranged to buy masks from the two men, according to the authorities. Mr. Allen and Mr. Revolorio created the impression that they had other customers lined up to pressure a buyer to wire them $4 million, the authorities said.One of those customers tipped off federal agents, who then arranged to buy masks from the two men, according to the authorities. Mr. Allen and Mr. Revolorio created the impression that they had other customers lined up to pressure a buyer to wire them $4 million, the authorities said.
Richard P. Donoghue, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement on Monday that the men’s actions were another example of profiteering from the coronavirus pandemic.Richard P. Donoghue, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement on Monday that the men’s actions were another example of profiteering from the coronavirus pandemic.
“As alleged in the complaint, the defendants sought to take advantage of the urgent national need for lifesaving personal protective equipment through a fraudulent scheme designed to line their own pockets,” Mr. Donoghue said.“As alleged in the complaint, the defendants sought to take advantage of the urgent national need for lifesaving personal protective equipment through a fraudulent scheme designed to line their own pockets,” Mr. Donoghue said.
If convicted, Mr. Allen and Mr. Revolorio would face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. They were arrested on Monday and released on $50,000 bond each after making an appearance in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.If convicted, Mr. Allen and Mr. Revolorio would face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. They were arrested on Monday and released on $50,000 bond each after making an appearance in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.
Kenneth Reed, a lawyer for Mr. Revolorio, said in an email on Monday night that his client would plead not guilty. He did not comment further.Kenneth Reed, a lawyer for Mr. Revolorio, said in an email on Monday night that his client would plead not guilty. He did not comment further.
A public defender for Mr. Allen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.A public defender for Mr. Allen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
According to the criminal complaint, Mr. Allen told a customer who was cooperating with the authorities that he didn’t want to inflate his prices too much because it could draw the attention of the F.B.I.According to the criminal complaint, Mr. Allen told a customer who was cooperating with the authorities that he didn’t want to inflate his prices too much because it could draw the attention of the F.B.I.
“Here’s the deal, I’m not — I don’t like to price gouge,” Mr. Allen was quoted as saying in the criminal complaint. “I had some guys coming to me and they’re saying, ‘Well, you do the billing, we’ll do this, and then we’ll sell them at $6.10,’ and I said, ‘Get off my phone.’”“Here’s the deal, I’m not — I don’t like to price gouge,” Mr. Allen was quoted as saying in the criminal complaint. “I had some guys coming to me and they’re saying, ‘Well, you do the billing, we’ll do this, and then we’ll sell them at $6.10,’ and I said, ‘Get off my phone.’”
Updated June 24, 2020 Updated June 30, 2020
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.Scientists around the country have tried to identify everyday materials that do a good job of filtering microscopic particles. In recent tests, HEPA furnace filters scored high, as did vacuum cleaner bags, fabric similar to flannel pajamas and those of 600-count pillowcases. Other materials tested included layered coffee filters and scarves and bandannas. These scored lower, but still captured a small percentage of particles.
A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico.
The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
Law enforcement officials said that Mr. Allen and Mr. Revolorio created a website for their company and certificates of authenticity for supplies they did not have. Both were filled with errors, the officials said. A toll-free number on the company’s website connected callers to an automated message for an adult telephone service, the criminal complaint said.Law enforcement officials said that Mr. Allen and Mr. Revolorio created a website for their company and certificates of authenticity for supplies they did not have. Both were filled with errors, the officials said. A toll-free number on the company’s website connected callers to an automated message for an adult telephone service, the criminal complaint said.
When an undercover agent went to an office at a home in Rancho Cucamonga, Mr. Allen and Mr. Revolorio showed the agent some open boxes with masks in them, according to the complaint. There were other boxes that were sealed and shrink-wrapped, which the authorities said were empty.When an undercover agent went to an office at a home in Rancho Cucamonga, Mr. Allen and Mr. Revolorio showed the agent some open boxes with masks in them, according to the complaint. There were other boxes that were sealed and shrink-wrapped, which the authorities said were empty.
“The alleged behavior here is nothing short of a betrayal of fellow citizens — both those serving on the front lines, and the communities who need those essential workers able to safely serve,” William F. Sweeney Jr., assistant director in charge of the F.B.I.’s field office in New York, said in a statement on Monday.“The alleged behavior here is nothing short of a betrayal of fellow citizens — both those serving on the front lines, and the communities who need those essential workers able to safely serve,” William F. Sweeney Jr., assistant director in charge of the F.B.I.’s field office in New York, said in a statement on Monday.
Last month, a Brooklyn man was charged with lying to federal agents about price gouging. The authorities said the man, Baruch Feldheim, 43, had stockpiled 192,000 N95 respirators, 130,000 surgical masks and nearly 600,000 medical-grade gloves, which were redirected to medical workers in New York and New Jersey.Last month, a Brooklyn man was charged with lying to federal agents about price gouging. The authorities said the man, Baruch Feldheim, 43, had stockpiled 192,000 N95 respirators, 130,000 surgical masks and nearly 600,000 medical-grade gloves, which were redirected to medical workers in New York and New Jersey.
Two Tennessee brothers who stockpiled 17,700 bottles of hand sanitizer avoided prosecution and a fine, but won’t recoup the thousands of dollars they spent on the supplies under the terms of a price-gouging settlement that the state attorney general announced last week.Two Tennessee brothers who stockpiled 17,700 bottles of hand sanitizer avoided prosecution and a fine, but won’t recoup the thousands of dollars they spent on the supplies under the terms of a price-gouging settlement that the state attorney general announced last week.