Homeland Security agents in Baton Rouge an Atlanta worked together to arrest a Georgia man they say, tried to defraud the Department of Veterans Affairs in $750 million coronavirus scam. The U.S. Department of Justice says the agents arrested Christopher Parris, 39, on Friday.
The DOJ said, Parris allegedly attempted to sell 125 million medical 3M respirator masks from U.S manufacturers, to the V.A. which they say did not exist and fulfilling such a large order would be impossible.
“Homeland Security Investigations special agents have sworn an oath to protect the American public, particularly during this health crisis, from opportunistic individuals who seek to deliberately harm and deceive others for their own profit," said Special Agent in Charge, Jere T. Miles, of the New Orleans Homeland Security Investigations. “Today, our special agents have shown their commitment to that promise.”
“We will vigorously pursue fraudsters who exploit the COVID-19 pandemic to make money,” said Attorney General William Barr. “As this case demonstrates, even beyond the typical costs associated with unlawful behavior, COVID-19 scams divert government time and resources and risk preventing front-line responders and consumers from obtaining the equipment they need to combat this pandemic. The Department of Justice will not tolerate this conduct, especially when it involves this kind of egregious attempt to target and defraud our nation’s treasures – our veterans.”
Parris was arrested by federal agents in Atlanta but he will be extradited to the District of Columbia.
