Mount Laurel, NJ – Paul Andrecola, owner and operator of multiple companies in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for perpetrating a multi-million dollar fraud scheme involving unregistered disinfectant products. Andrecola manufactured and sold products under the “GCLEAN” brand, falsely claiming they were EPA-approved to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus – commonly known as Coronavirus – during the height of the pandemic.
The investigation, led by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Criminal Investigation Division, revealed that Andrecola deliberately misrepresented his products as being on the EPA’s “List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2.” This list identifies disinfectants proven effective against the virus. However, GCLEAN products were never registered with the EPA as pesticides, a legal requirement for such claims. Andrecola allegedly achieved this deception by illegally affixing the EPA registration numbers of *another* company to his products and creating falsified documentation to support his fraudulent marketing.
Between March 2020 and May 2021, Andrecola profited handsomely from the deception, raking in over $2.7 million through more than 150 sales of the unregistered pesticides. Disturbingly, his customer base extended beyond private entities to include critical public services and government agencies. Purchasers included a police department in Delaware, a fire department in Virginia, a medical clinic in Georgia, a school district in Wisconsin, and various federal entities such as the U.S. Marshal’s Service, Moody Air Force Base, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the U.S. Forest Service. The use of potentially ineffective disinfectants by these organizations raises serious questions about public safety and the integrity of supply chains during a public health crisis.
Legal Ramifications
Andrecola was convicted of violating several federal statutes, including Title 18 U.S. Code Sections 1343 (Wire Fraud), 287 (False Statements), and 7 U.S. Code Section 136j(a)(1)(A) – a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). FIFRA requires registration of all pesticides sold in the United States, ensuring they meet safety and efficacy standards. In addition to the five-year prison sentence, Andrecola was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to forfeit $2.74 million, representing his ill-gotten gains. He was also assessed a special penalty of $225.00.
Investigation & Impact
The case highlights the EPA’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws and protecting the public from fraudulent claims, especially during times of heightened vulnerability like a pandemic. “This sentencing sends a strong message that those who knowingly put profits over public health will be held accountable,” stated a representative from the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division. The investigation uncovered a deliberate effort to exploit public fear and uncertainty for financial gain, potentially jeopardizing the health of first responders, government employees, and the general public.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Paul Andrecola
- Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
- Crime: Manufacturing and selling unregistered disinfectant products with false claims of EPA approval.
- Profit: Over $2.7 million
- Victims: Included police departments, fire departments, medical clinics, school districts, and U.S. government agencies.
- Statutes Violated: 18 U.S.C. 1343, 18 U.S.C. 287, 7 U.S.C. 136j(a)(1)(A)
- Sentence: 5 years imprisonment, 3 years supervised release, $2.74 million forfeiture, $225 special assessment.
The GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- Amgen Pays $71M for Pushing Drugs Off-Label · Alaska
- Amgen Inc, Pharmaceutical Misrepresentation, California 2024 · Alaska
- John Doe, Western Union Scam, California 2022 · Alaska
- Seth Rehfuss, Medicare Genetic Testing Fraud, NJ 2023 · Mississippi
- Kenneth Johnson, Medicare Fraud Scheme, VA 2024 · Mississippi
