FBI agents say they nailed a coronavirus snake oil salesman — a SoCal man who allegedly claimed he had a cure, and used Magic Johnson’s name to try to snare investors.
Ya, just knew this was bound to happen … the FBI arrested Keith Lawrence Middlebrook Wednesday evening in an undercover sting. The feds say Middlebrook delivered pills to an agent posing as a potential investor.
He allegedly claimed to have developed a “patent-pending cure” that would prevent people from getting infected, and also treat those already suffering from COVID-19.
The feds say Middlebrook solicited funds from investors and promised huge profits from his company, Quantum Prevention CV. For instance, the FBI says he told a cooperating witness a $1 million investment would turn into $200 to $300 million, conservatively.
He also allegedly dropped Magic Johnson’s name to at least potential investor … claiming Magic was on his board of directors. The feds say they checked with Magic, who confirmed he had NO clue about Middlebrook or his “company.”
Attorney General William Barr warned this week, during a White House briefing, the feds would come down hard on anyone preying on fears surrounding the pandemic.
True enough, Middlebrook’s been charged with wire fraud, which carries a max sentence of 20 years.
