Lucy Lang Calls For Establishment Of Covid-19 Task Force In Manhattan DA’s Office To Manage Prosecutions Related To Healthcare Fraud & Unscrupulous Nursing Home Operators
COVID-19 Task Force Would Protect Vulnerable and Senior New Yorkers from Unproven Treatments, Financial Scams & Nursing Home Operators Who Skirt Public Health Requirements
Task Force Would Coordinate Between Bureaus & Bring Together ADAs from the Elder Abuse Unit, Financial Frauds Bureau, Special Victims Bureau to Ensure Alignment During COVID-19 Pandemic
November 10, 2020
Today, Manhattan District Attorney Candidate Lucy Lang called for the establishment of a COVID-19 task force within the Manhattan DA’s office to address fraudulent treatments and financial scams related to the pandemic, as well as nursing homes that fail to meet public health requirements. As COVID-19 continues to spread, seniors remain at the highest risk – both from the virus itself, and from those who work to take advantage of the elderly for profit.
The task force would coordinate between existing bureaus and include prosecutors from the Elder Abuse Unit, Financial Frauds Bureau, and Special Victims Bureau to handle crimes specifically related to COVID-19 fraud, in order to protect senior New Yorkers and other vulnerable populations from being exploited during this public health crisis.
This new COVID-19 task force would ensure that individuals and businesses attempting to profit by selling services or products that claim to help diagnose, treat, cure, and prevent COVID-19 will be prosecuted and held accountable, including:
Drugs, vaccines, dietary supplements, creams, or other products that claim to treat COVID-19
Fake at-home test kits for COVID-19
Health and life insurance scams
Stimulus-related scams
Charity scams
“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudulent businesses have used public fear to prey on senior adults and vulnerable populations in New York City to make a profit – it’s past time to hold them accountable,” said Manhattan District Attorney Candidate Lucy Lang. “Prosecutors must protect the health, safety, and dignity of all New Yorkers – especially as we continue to navigate this unprecedented public health crisis. I’m committed to holding accountable any person, company, or entity that attempts to prey on innocent New Yorkers and profit off of public anxieties.”
“Lucy’s plan to address COVID-related scams is proactive and will help protect seniors and vulnerable populations in Manhattan,” said Elizabeth Loewy, who established the Elder Abuse Unit at the Manhattan DA’s Office under then-District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. “Elder financial abuse is a critical issue that robs seniors of billions of dollars every year, and I’m glad to see a candidate for District Attorney tackle this issue head-on.”
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudulent businesses have exploited public concern related to the virus for profit. In March, InfoWars’ Alex Jones received a cease and desist order from Attorney General Letitia James’ Office for selling toothpaste, dietary supplements, creams, and other products on his website that falsely claimed to prevent COVID-19. That same month, The Silver Edge Company and Dr. Sherrill Sellman also received cease and desist orders for selling colloidal silver products as a cure for the virus, even though there is currently no FDA-approved drug to treat or prevent COVID-19.
Unfortunately, senior adults are often the most targeted group for such practices, especially those who are experiencing cognitive decline or are isolated from family members due to social distancing. Lucy’s plan would marshal resources in the Manhattan DA’s office to hold those that seek to take advantage of seniors and vulnerable populations accountable.