Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA-Based COVID-19 Testing Company To Pay $22.5 Million Settlement For Allegedly Faking Test Results
A registered nurse stirs a nasal swab in testing solution after administering a COVID-19 test
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
During peak COVID surge, many of us were willing to pay a premium to get test results fast — within 24 hours.
One of the testing companies that promised that was Venice-based Sameday Health. Now L.A. City Attorney and mayoral candidate Mike Feuer has announced the company must pay the city $22.5 million to settle allegations that it sent fake negative test results to hundreds of customers.
Consumers who received test results from Sameday Health between October and December 2020 are eligible for refunds.
In some instances, the company allegedly sent results before the tests were even processed by a lab, according to a statement from Feuer.
Support for LAist comes from
"It is imperative that people who are getting tested get accurate results," Feuer said. "And it's imperative that any company that is reporting to give those results, give those results to people straight."
Beyond the alleged botched and falsified test results, the city's complaint charges that Sameday Health also engaged in insurance fraud after partnering with a doctor and charging for "medically unnecessary" consultations.
That doctor, Jeff Toll, has also agreed to pay $3.9 million to settle the allegations.
Feuer advised anyone who's seeking COVID-19 tests, to book an appointment through a trusted healthcare provider or the Health Services of L.A. County. He said he believes the city has "captured the universe of people who were adversely affected," but he encourages others who think they've been ripped off to contact his office.
In a statement, a Sameday Health spokesperson said that the company has "corrected the problems that arose back in 2020," and has agreed to settle to move forward and focus on the "the communities they serve."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist