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A Georgia man was arrested by the FBI for defrauding the Atlanta-based company he worked for by allegedly lying about having the coronavirus, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia said in a press release Thursday.
Santwon Antonio Davis, 34, allegedly faked a coronavirus doctor’s note, prompting his employer, an unidentified Fortune 500 company, to close the business for sanitizing.
“The defendant caused unnecessary economic loss to his employer and distress to his coworkers and their families,” U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak said in a statement. “We will take quick action through the Georgia COVID-19 Task Force to put a stop to criminals preying on Georgia companies and the public with Coronavirus-related fraud schemes.”
Santwon Antonio Davis, 34 (Fulton County Sheriff's Office)
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The company lost around $100,000 from closing the business and continuing to pay its employees. Several of Davis’ coworkers also unnecessarily quarantined themselves.
Davis later reportedly admitted he didn't have the virus.
“Scammers continue to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic through a variety of means,” Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said in a statement. “We receive numerous complaints every day and this case is a reminder that we remain vigilant in detecting, investigating and prosecuting any wrongdoing related to the crisis.”
Davis has previously served a total of 18 months for three prison sentences since 2006, for theft, criminal damage to property and trespassing, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
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The FBI is investigating the case.
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