Actor Keith Middlebrook Sentenced for COVID Fraud

Keith Middlebrook, a part-time actor and self-styled credit guru, was sentenced to eight years and two months in prison for defrauding investors through a scheme that marketed fake COVID-19 cures and treatments. Found guilty of 11 counts of wire fraud, Middlebrook solicited investments in early 2020, claiming to have developed a 'patent-pending' cure called 'QC20' and a treatment named 'QP20'. He falsely guaranteed enormous returns and misrepresented his connections to NBA star Magic Johnson, who testified that he had never been associated with Middlebrook. The court noted concerns about Middlebrook's denial of wrongdoing, suggesting a potential for future fraudulent behavior. He was arrested after delivering pills he falsely claimed could prevent COVID-19 infection to an undercover FBI agent posing as an investor. In addition to his prison sentence, he was fined $25,000 and remanded to federal custody immediately.