As indicated by the news release, authorities arrested him on federal fraud charges, as he claimed to have developed the alleged antidote for the cure and a disease prevention pill, and solicited investments for a fraudulent company that he said could mass-produce the products.
NTD refers to the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, as the CCP virus because the Chinese Communist Party’s coverup and mismanagement allowed the virus to spread throughout China and create a global pandemic.
Middlebrook was arrested after a criminal complaint was filed, which charged the actor of attempted wire fraud, according to the release. If convicted, he could go to federal prison for a maximum of 20 years.
“The complaint alleges that Middlebrook claimed to have personally developed a ‘patent-pending cure’ and a treatment that prevents coronavirus infection, even though every major health authority has warned that there is no specific antiviral treatment for COVID-19 and no vaccine to prevent coronavirus infection,” the release stated.
The actor was taken into custody after a meeting with an undercover FBI agent—posing as an investor—to deliver the pills—the ones that Middlebrook claimed was the cure for the virus.
The news release explained the process of Middlebrook’s fraudulent investment scheme: “Middlebrook fraudulently solicited funds with promises of massive profits for a company he called Quantum Prevention CV Inc. (QP20), and he falsely claimed to at least one potential investor that Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson was a member of the board of directors, according to the affidavit in support of the complaint.”
Johnson, whose name was used for the purpose of the fraud, was not aware of this and told the investigators that he had no knowledge of Middlebrook’s alleged company.
“QP20, according to Middlebrook, would mass-produce the pills he claimed would prevent COVID-19. Upon receipt of investor funds, Middlebrook would issue shares in both QP20 and Quantum Cure CV 2020 (QC20), another alleged corporation Middlebrook claimed would market the serum that could cure COVID-19 patients within two to three days, the complaint alleges,” according to the news release.
Middlebrook claimed that a patient who tested positive for the CCP Virus recovered after receiving the injections. He also claimed that “Investors who come in at ground level say $1M will parachute with $200M - $300M” at a minimum, according to the news release.
Authorities warned people about scams like these at times of crisis, and Nick Hanna, the United States Attorney said that people will target the general public’s fear and weaknesses with lies and scams.
“During these difficult days, scams like this are using blatant lies to prey upon our fears and weaknesses,” Hanna said. “While this may be the first federal criminal case in the nation stemming from the pandemic, it certainly will not be the last. I again am urging everyone to be extremely wary of outlandish medical claims and false promises of immense profits. And to those who perpetrate these schemes, know that federal authorities are out in force to protect all Americans, and we will move aggressively against anyone seeking to cheat the public during this critical time.”
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