Big Valley News
Central Valley's Independent News Source
SACRAMENTO - Today, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott warned of several new fraud schemes seeking to exploit the evolving COVID-19 (Coronavirus) public health emergency often targeting vulnerable populations.
Scammers have already devised numerous methods for defrauding people in connection with COVID-19. They are setting up websites, contacting people by phone and email, and posting disinformation on social media platforms. Some examples of scams linked to COVID-19 include:
MADERA - The Madera Community Hospital implemented a temporary no-visitor policy, halted elective surgeries and expanded their safe screening procedure, while maintaining the vital function or our Emergency Department during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The health and safety of our workforce, patients and the communities we serve, remain our top priority,” said Karen Paolinelli, Chief Executive Officer. “We must do everything we can to ensure Madera Community Hospital continues the essential duty of providing vital healthcare services for our community.”
SACRAMENTO - Pamela Emanuel, 58, of San Jose, was sentenced yesterday by United States District Judge Morrison C. England, Jr. to 6 years and 3 months in prison and ordered to pay $773,733 in restitution for her role in scheme to defraud the State of California by filing false unemployment insurance claims, United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
“Pamela Emanuel conspired to file fraudulent unemployment insurance claims, diverting vital taxpayer resources away from those in dire need of unemployment benefits. Protecting the integrity of the unemployment insurance program remains one of our highest priorities, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard the unemployment benefits for those who need it, especially during this critical time,” said Quentin Heiden, Special Agent-in-Charge of the U.S. Department of Labor. Office of Inspector General, Los Angeles Region.
MADERA - In the early morning hours of July 5, 2018, the California Highway Patrol received a call of a potential DUI driver in the area of Road 29 ½ and Ave. 8.
When CHP officers arrived, they found the defendant, Jose de Jesus Rodriguez Figueroa, seated in the driver’s seat of a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle given to CHP.
FRESNO - Spiking Prices During a State of an Emergency is a Crime As the State of California and Fresno County continue to respond to the ongoing threat posed by COVID-19, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office is cautioning businesses and scammers not to take advantage of consumers by price gouging.
During a declared state of emergency, it is illegal for a business to increase its prices for essential goods or services by more than 10 percent, unless they can show their own costs have been increased. Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California on March 4.
