PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A South Jersey man and the Philadelphia-based business he founded have been charged with lying about their products’ effectiveness at killing the virus that causes COVID-19.
James Young, 46, of Cherry Hill made his initial appearance in federal magistrate court in Philly Tuesday afternoon.
Young founded ViaClean Technologies, LLC. The company makes registered pesticides meant to kill bacteria, algae and fungi like mold and mildew, which cause stains and odors.
According to an indictment from federal prosecutors, Young conspired with others to claim the pesticides his company sold were effective at killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. Prosecutors alleged Young and ViaClean knowingly misled potential customers about the practical use of registered pesticides.
As a result, Young and the company were charged with mail fraud, conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud, and violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Prosecutors also said Sean Storrie, 59, of Philadelphia was charged with violating that act, but did not specify his alleged role. He appeared in court Tuesday as well. ViaClean Technologies is due in court on Sept. 5.