A Department of Veterans Affairs respiratory therapist is accused of stealing COVID-19 medical supplies and selling them on eBay, according to the Justice Department.
Between January and June, Gene Wamsley, a 41-year-old Bonney Lake, Wash. man, allegedly stole and sold ventilators, bronchoscopes and other respiratory support equipment, according to U.S. Attorney Brian Moran. Wamsely was working at a VA hospital until he was placed on leave on June 9. He made is first court appearance in Seattle Thursday.
“Right now respiratory support equipment is critical in medical care for those suffering with COVID-19 infections," Moran said in a statement. "To steal and sell equipment needed to care for our veterans is a shocking betrayal."
In January, the hospital reported two bronchoscopes missing. A third was later reported missing in April. Hospital staff noticed some of the equipment listed for sale on eBay from a seller in Bonney Lake.
The DoJ investigation linked the sale of the three bronchoscopes to Wamsely and further review of eBay records showed he also sold five ventilators in March and April, according to the criminal complaint. At least three ventilators were missing from the hospital during the same period.
EBay records showed other respiratory equipment sold by the account connected to Wamsely, the complaint said. Hospital leaders said the items were missing from the hospital's respiratory therapy department.
When law enforcement searched Wamsley's home, DoJ officials said they found medical supplies and seized eBay records.
Theft of government property is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
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