A Burlington County businessman who previously admitted that he illegally sold $2.7 million worth of pesticides he claimed would kill the coronavirus, in a scheme that defrauded federal agencies as well as police and fire departments, was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison, authorities said.
Paul Andrecola, 63, of Maple Shade, pleaded guilty in June to one count of selling an unregistered pesticide, wire fraud and presenting false claims to the United States, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Jersey.
“Paul Andrecola’s scheme profited on the fears of the American people during the height of concerns about transmission of COVID-19,” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said in a statement from the office. “Our office is dedicated to protecting public health and prosecuting to the full extent of the law fraudsters who commit such egregious criminal acts.”