Pascrell Applauds Crackdown on Fake Coronavirus Cures

Move by FTC comes days after Pascrell called on agency to shutter schemes by Jim Bakker, other fraudsters

PATERSON, NJ – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today praised the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) move to protect consumers from deceptive advertising amid the coronavirus epidemic. Last week, Pascrell called on the FTC to crackdown on con artists and fraudsters selling fake treatments for coronavirus. Today the agency announced it would do exactly that, issuing warnings to seven scam companies which falsely claim their products could treat or prevent coronavirus.

“In times of crisis like this, you can always count on snake oil salesmen to come out from under their rocks and try to defraud vulnerable Americans. Our government must take aggressive action to ensure that American consumers are protected against this dangerous and deceptive behavior,” said Rep. Pascrell, who called out disgraced televangelist Jim Bakker by name for attempting to swindle his audience. “These fraudsters should face the full force of governmental authority for attempting to scam the American people. I was pleased to learn that the FTC has followed my calls and decided to take action against these swindlers. While regulation of these bad actors falls under the jurisdiction of the FTC, I will continue watching very closely to ensure that proper oversight is conducted and that these and other con artists face the severest sanctions available.”

Rep. Pascrell’s letter to Chairman Joseph Simons of the FTC and Commissioner Stephen Hahn of the Food and Drug Administration can be viewed here.

Rep. Pascrell has been active in calling for a stronger government response to combat the growing threat of coronavirus and has been harshly critical of the Trump White House’s ill-preparation, lack of transparency, and censuring of medical and scientific experts. Last week, Pascrell and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) wrote the administrator of the FDA demanding information on the government’s efforts to protect medical supply chains from China. Last year, Pascrell called on America’s five largest supermarket chains to stop selling the toxic National Enquirer tabloid, which regularly publishes toxic misinformation and intentionally misleads consumers.

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