A Maryland man was sentenced last year after federal authorities uncovered a scheme to illegally manufacture and sell disinfectant products, falsely claiming they were approved to kill COVID-19. Marek Majtan, operating under the name Capitol Cleaning Solutions (CCS), preyed on public fear during the height of the pandemic, marketing his homemade disinfectants as effective against SARS-CoV-2 and the seasonal flu.
According to court documents, Majtan began his operation in April 2020, registering a trade name with the Maryland State Department of Assessment and Taxation. He sourced pesticides of unknown origin via Facebook Marketplace, repackaged them at his residence, and created his own labels, fraudulently incorporating EPA registration information from a *discontinued* product. These products were then advertised online as “Compliant and Approved” by both the EPA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Majtan primarily sold his products through eBay and a dedicated website, ccs-box.com, falsely claiming EPA registration and inclusion on the agency’s List N – a crucial list of disinfectants proven effective against COVID-19. He even inflated sales figures on the website, claiming 1,231 bottles sold to 323 customers, a fabrication admitted to federal agents in an attempt to attract more buyers. An undercover purchase by EPA-Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID) and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) confirmed the illegal nature of the products, leading to a search warrant execution at a FedEx facility and the seizure of additional packages destined for customers in multiple states.
Regulatory Violations & Penalties
The investigation revealed a blatant disregard for federal regulations governing pesticides. Majtan failed to include *any* of the legally required information on product labels, such as the product name, manufacturer details, registration numbers, or crucial warning statements designed to protect human health and the environment. He violated 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(1)(E) of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), which mandates proper pesticide registration and labeling.
The scheme not only endangered public health by offering potentially ineffective and unregulated disinfectants but also undermined legitimate businesses adhering to strict EPA guidelines. While the financial gain appears modest, the potential for harm was significant. Majtan was sentenced in September 2021 to six months of home confinement and ordered to pay $4,804.34 in restitution.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Marek Majtan
- Business Name: Capitol Cleaning Solutions (CCS)
- State: Maryland
- Year of Offense: 2020-2021
- Crime: Illegal pesticide manufacturing and sale, false advertising, fraud.
- Statute Violated: 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(1)(E) – FIFRA
- False Claims: Products were “EPA-approved” and effective against COVID-19.
- Penalties: Six months home confinement, $4,804.34 restitution.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the EPA’s ongoing efforts to combat fraudulent claims related to disinfectants, particularly during public health crises. Authorities urge consumers to verify the EPA registration status of any disinfectant product before purchase, utilizing the agency’s online tools and resources.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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