A Perry County woman has entered into a consent agreement with the US Department of Justice to settle a federal civil lawsuit over her creation, reproduction and sale of fake COVID-19 vaccination cards.
Tiffany Keller, 39, of Junction City, charged $40 per card, selling more than 77 fake cards between August 2021 and February 2022, according to a lawsuit filed May 10 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in Columbus.
According to the lawsuit, Keller originally advertised her services on a May 2021 blog post requesting information about fake vaccination cards. She offered to print cards for a user and provided an email that was traced back to her. Keller offered his services to other users on the post.
On Feb. 10, an HHS investigator sent Keller, who used the name Jane, an email offering to pay for fake vaccine cards, according to the lawsuit. Keller responded and used another email offering to sell the cards for $40 each with $7.95 for priority shipping.
The lawsuit says Keller did not receive approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to create and sell the cards, and sought a permanent injunction to restrain him from continuing to produce, sell and advertise the fake ones. cards.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 vaccination proof cards are required for certain jobs, foreign travel and school registration.
Reproduction, reprinting, and distribution of a health and human services form, application, or other publication for fee without consent is a violation of federal law, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Health. Justice, Keller could have faced a fine of up to $11,506 for each of the 77 violations, for a total of more than $885,960.
“Making and selling fake COVID-19 vaccination records can undermine essential public health measures and put the health of Americans at risk,” said Robert DeConti, acting chief counsel for the Inspector General’s office. US Department of Health and Human Services. Release.
DeConti said the HHS Inspector General’s Office is working with law enforcement “to hold accountable those who attempt to illegally profit from the pandemic.”
Keller admitted in a federal consent agreement that she reproduced and sold fake COVID vaccination cards, according to a statement. She agreed to stop selling the cards, misusing any health and human services words, symbols or emblems, and advertising or soliciting the sale of fake vaccine cards.
If Keller violates the consent agreement, she will face more than $400,000 in civil penalties.
Keller could not be reached by The Dispatch for comment.
Anyone with information about fake CDC vaccination cards can contact the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-200-447-5477. Allegations of fraud may be reported to the US Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.
JOrozco@dispatch.com
@JessicaCOrozco