Atlanta employee arrested for allegedly lying about COVID-19, FBI says
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A Georgia man was arrested by the FBI for defrauding the Atlanta-based company he worked for by allegedly lying about having the coronavirus, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia said in a press release Thursday.
Santwon Antonio Davis, 34, allegedly faked a coronavirus doctor’s note, prompting his employer, an unidentified Fortune 500 company, to close the business for sanitizing.
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“The defendant caused unnecessary economic loss to his employer and distress to his coworkers and their families,” U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak said in a statement. “We will take quick action through the Georgia COVID-19 Task Force to put a stop to criminals preying on Georgia companies and the public with Coronavirus-related fraud schemes.”
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The company lost around $100,000 from closing the business and continuing to pay its employees. Several of Davis’ coworkers also unnecessarily quarantined themselves.
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Davis later reportedly admitted he didn't have the virus.
“Scammers continue to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic through a variety of means,” Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said in a statement. “We receive numerous complaints every day and this case is a reminder that we remain vigilant in detecting, investigating and prosecuting any wrongdoing related to the crisis.”
Davis has previously served a total of 18 months for three prison sentences since 2006, for theft, criminal damage to property and trespassing, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
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The FBI is investigating the case.