Federal authorities say they seized nearly a million pieces of medical supplies from a Brooklyn man accused of hoarding them and selling at inflated prices during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the FBI, the stockpile tied to Baruch, 43, included 192,000 N95 respirators, 130,000 surgical masks and nearly 600,000 medical grade gloves. Investigators also reported recovering disinfectant wipes, surgical gowns, filters, hand sanitizer and disinfectant spray.
A criminal complaint alleges he charged a doctor $12,000 for masks, gowns and protective gear at a markup of about 700 percent. The complaint says the doctor went to pick up the order at an auto repair shop in Irvington, New Jersey that was being used as a warehouse, and found pallets of supplies that could have outfitted a hospital.
The complaint also alleges that when federal agents confronted him on a Sunday, he coughed in their direction and said he had tested positive for the coronavirus. He was arrested the next day and charged with assault on a federal officer in addition to the hoarding allegations.
His defense attorney, James Moriarty, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday night, but Reuters reported that he denied the charges.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the crackdown helps get supplies to health care workers on the front lines. Authorities said the seized items were inspected and handed over to medical personnel in New York and New Jersey, where shortages of protective equipment were putting heavy strain on hospitals.
The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
