HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — An Idaho man is accused of selling fake spotted lanternfly permits to Pennsylvania businesses, according to the attorney general’s office.
Kevin Wardell and his business, Diverse Solutions, LLC, allegedly impersonated the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and sold permits by sending letters to businesses.
Wardell allegedly threatened civil and criminal penalties to businesses that did not immediately purchase permits and training, according to Sunday.
Attorney General Dave Sunday said an official permit is free and can only be obtained by completing a training offered by the Department of Agriculture.
Businesses that move certain materials in and out of Pennsylvania, such as wood, concrete and other construction materials, are required to complete a training and obtain a permit.
The goal of the training is to prevent the spread of spotted lantern flies, which is considered an invasive species in Pennsylvania.
The lawsuit asks the court to prohibit Wardell and his business from conducting business in Pennsylvania. It also seeks restitution for businesses that purchased permits or training.
“Pennsylvania is working hard to stop the spread of invasive species such as spotted lanternflies, but they aren’t the only pests that are harming Pennsylvanians,” Sunday said in a release. “Scammers peddling fraudulent trainings and fake permits do not help anyone keep their crops safe from this destructive species.”