Bar owner who sold fake COVID-19 vaccination cards arrested
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A bar owner in Clements, California was arrested for allegedly selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards to his customers.
The owner, Todd Anderson, was caught selling fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination cards through his bar last week, California’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) said in a statement on May 5.
The agency said it started its investigation about the bar when they received a tip from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. It then sent agents to go undercover and purchase the cards, which they successfully did “on multiple occasions.”
ABC’s agents were able to purchase the cards at $20 (about P950) each, as per a Fox 40 report on May 4.
When authorities conducted a raid on the bar, they found blank COVID-19 vaccination cards, a laminating machine, laminating materials and other finished cards. They also discovered that Anderson had an unregistered firearm on him at the time of his arrest.
Investigators stressed that selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards is a federal crime in the United States and that Anderson could face fraud or forgery charges. His bar will remain open but its liquor license may be revoked. JB
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