A bar owner in California who allegedly sold fake COVID-19 vaccine cards from his business has been charged with multiple offences, including forgery and identity theft.
The owner was arrested at his bar, the Old Corner Saloon, in Clements, California s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) said on Wednesday.
The ABC received a complaint that fake vaccination cards were being sold at the bar and opened an investigation. In April, undercover agents were able to buy four fake cards there as part of their investigation, John Carr, an ABC spokesperson, told CNN. They paid US$20 ($25) for each card, he said.
California bar owner is arrested for selling undercover agents fake COVID-19 vaccine cards for $20
Todd Anderson, 59, of Acampo, California, faces charges for multiple crimes including felony identity theft and forging government documents
The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control sent in undercover agents to Anderson s Old Corner Saloon in Clements, California
They bought at least eight cards for $20 per card ‘on multiple occasions in April’
A laminating machine and 30 blank cards were confiscated by authorities
This is the first time California s ABC has set up such a sting to catch people selling fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine cards
But it s unlikely to be the last as vaccination cards become more crucial to the United States efforts to reopen after COVID-19
California bar owner charged with multiple felonies for allegedly selling fake Covid-19 vaccination cards, officials say
May 6, 2021 9:24 AM CNN
Source: the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) confirmed
Bar owner arrested after selling fake Covid-19 cards
(CNN) A bar owner who allegedly sold fake Covid-19 vaccine cards from his business was charged with multiple felonies, including forgery and identity theft.
The owner was arrested at his bar, the Old Corner Saloon, in Clements, California, the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control said in a statement Wednesday.
ABC received a complaint that fake vaccination cards were being sold at the bar and opened an investigation, the statement said. In April, undercover agents were able to buy fake cards there on several occasions, it said. It’s not clear how much the cards cost or how many were allegedly sold.
A bar owner from California was arrested after authorities busted him for selling fake COVID vaccination cards.
New York Post reported that Todd Anderson, the owner of the Old Corner Saloon in Clements, sold the fake cards to undercover agents several times.
According to ABC News, the announcement of the arrest was made by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control on Wednesday. The department reportedly received a tip on the issue that led to an undercover investigation.
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Fake COVID Vaccination Cards Sold in a California Bar
The fraudulent vaccination cards were sold at the bar for about $20. San Joaquin County District Attorney s Office noted that undercover agents purchased the fake COVID vaccination cards on multiple occasions in April.