The COVID-19 pandemic has brought forth instances of individuals exploiting the crisis for personal gain. A recent case highlighted such actions, with the Justice Department charging a Silicon Valley executive with security and healthcare fraud related to the crisis. According to the United States Department of Justice, this marks one of the first cases of its kind.
Mark Schena, the president of Arrayit Corporation, was sentenced yesterday to eight years in prison and ordered to pay $24 million in restitution. His schemes included fraudulent claims about a revolutionary disease-testing technology and the orchestration of an illegal kickback scheme related to Medicare. Additionally, Schena exploited the pandemic by falsely advertising COVID-19 tests.
Contrary to Arrayit Corporation's claims, the touted breakthrough technology was merely a part of Schena's fraudulent scheme. As reported by Justice.gov, Schena made false claims about his company to deceive investors, undermining the hopes of those searching for superior healthcare solutions amidst the crisis.
Despite failing to develop a reliable COVID-19 test, Schena proceeded to market and sell the tests. Such actions had adverse effects, not just financially but also on public health and safety.
As per the Justice Department's statement, this case signifies the commitment of federal agencies to safeguarding the American people from such abuses. The penalties for those exploiting the pandemic must be substantial and unwavering, as this encourages accountability and instills a sense of trust during challenging times.
