Tons of sanitizer: Retailer charged with hoarding, gouging
NY Retailer Charged with Hoarding, Price-Gouging Coronavirus Supplies In what authorities are calling the first coronavirus-related prosecution, a New York retailer on Friday was charged with hoarding tons of protective masks, surgical gowns and hand sanitizer and selling the items at over-inflated prices.
Store owner Amardeep “Bobby” Singh, 45, has been accused of violating the Defense Production Act of 1950 after officials found the stockpile of personal protective gear in his Long Island warehouse, prosecutors say. “Singh’s amassing of critical personal protective equipment during a public health crisis and reselling at huge markups places him squarely in the cross-hairs of law enforcement armed with the Defense Production Act,” says U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue.
While Singh’s attorney doesn’t exactly deny the accusation, he says law enforcement officials are being a bit overzealous in their efforts to prosecute his client. “If selling PPE goods is improper or criminal, then a lot of people need to go to jail,” says Bradley Gerstman. “The Defense Production Act is wildly vague, and I don’t think this would pass muster on any appellate level. I think this statute would be struck down as null and void.”
Regardless of whether Singh’s activity is illegal, is it immoral? Should Singh be held responsible for some people’s deaths?
