Late last week, Paul Andrecola, a Maple Shade native, was sentenced to five years in prison for selling more than $2.7 million worth of pesticides he falsely claimed were registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as being effective against COVID-19.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Philip Sellinger and Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
In June, Andrecola pleaded guilty to one count each of knowingly distributing or selling an unregistered pesticide in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), wire fraud and presenting false claims to the United States.
“Andrecola, who controls two companies and is employed by a third company, all based in Mount Laurel, N.J., manufactured various disinfectant products, including liquids and wipes, under the brand name ‘GCLEAN.’ GCLEAN products were unregistered pesticides under FIFRA and none of the products were on EPA’s List N[: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2],” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a release, citing court documents and statements. “Andrecola placed another company’s EPA registration numbers on his company’s products and falsely marketed that his products were EPA-approved to kill coronavirus by creating numerous false documents to support his claims. Andrecola, or others at his behest, would provide this falsified documentation to potential customers representing that...
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