Idaho man accused of selling fake spotted lanternfly permits in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has filed a lawsuit against Kevin Wardell of Idaho, accusing him of deceiving Pennsylvanians into purchasing fraudulent spotted lanternfly permits.
Certain businesses in Pennsylvania are required to obtain spotted lanternfly permits due to a quarantine order from the state Department of Agriculture aimed at preventing the spread of the invasive insect.
The lawsuit alleges that Wardell and his business mailed letters to Pennsylvanians that included deceptive logos and terminology designed to appear as if they were from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
“Those letters threatened civil and criminal penalties if they did not comply immediately, while offering the permits and training for sale that were created by Wardell,” the lawsuit states.
Numerous individuals and businesses, unaware the letters were not from the Department of Agriculture, responded and purchased the fraudulent permits and training.
The lawsuit asks the court to prohibit Wardell and his company from conducting business in Pennsylvania. It also seeks restitution for all consumers who purchased the fraudulent permits.