With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
FBI Arrests Local Man For Running Alleged COVID-19 Scam
Keith Middlebrook in one of his YouTube videos. (YouTube)
()
The FBI has arrested a Southern California man who allegedly sought investors for a bogus cure for COVID-19.
Keith Lawrence Middlebrook, 53, was arrested after giving an undercover agent posing as an investor some of his pills, which he claims give him immunity to the virus.
Middlebrook, who had addresses in Westwood, Newport Beach and Murrieta, is charged with one count of attempted wire fraud, a felony. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Support for LAist comes from
The complaint says Middlebrook claimed to have developed a "patent-pending cure" and a treatment that prevents coronavirus infection. Prosecutors say he also falsely claimed that Magic Johnson had joined the board of his company.
The government says videos Middlebrook posted to YouTube and Instagram have gotten at least two million views. Here is one of his YouTube videos:
The FBI wants to know if you think you're a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19. You've got options for how to report it:
- Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov
- Report it to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov
- If it's a cyber scam, submit your complaint through https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist