Philadelphia Firm, Founder Charged With COVID-19 Pesticide Fraud

ViaClean Technologies, LLC, a Philadelphia-based company, and its founder James Young of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, have been indicted for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Prosecutors allege that Young and ViaClean falsely marketed their pesticide products as effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, despite the products only being registered to inhibit odor-causing bacteria, fungi, and algae. Sean Storrie of Philadelphia also faces charges related to these violations. The Environmental Protection Agency had ordered ViaClean in March 2021 to cease making inaccurate health claims about their products' effectiveness against coronavirus. The indictment stresses that the false claims occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by heightened demand for disinfectants. All defendants appeared in federal magistrate court in Philadelphia, with ViaClean's initial court appearance scheduled for September 5, and the case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office.