HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that his office has filed a lawsuit against an Idaho man and his business for allegedly deceiving Pennsylvanians and businesses into purchasing fraudulent spotted lanternfly permits and associated training.
The lawsuit alleges that Kevin Wardell and Diverse Solutions, LLC, solicited and sold the fraudulent permits and training under the name “Spotted Lanternfly Commission.”
According to the lawsuit, Wardell and his business solicited Pennsylvanians — in some cases, successfully — by mailing letters that included deceptive logos and terminology to appear as if they were from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
“Pennsylvania is working hard to stop the spread of invasive species such as spotted lanternflies, but they aren’t the only pests that are harming Pennsylvanians. Scammers peddling fraudulent trainings and fake permits do not help anyone keep their crops safe from this destructive species,” Attorney General Sunday said. “Legitimate training and permits are available for free through the Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension.”
Pennsylvania remains under a Quarantine Order issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to address the infestation of the spotted lanternfly. This order requires certain businesses to obtain a permit from the Department of Agriculture to ensure the spotted lanternfly population does not grow or expand to neighboring areas.
To obtain a license, individuals and businesses must attend a training offered by the Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension, then take a test. There is no cost to attend the training or obtain the permit.
Letters sent by Wardell and his business threatened civil and criminal penalties if compliance was not immediately obtained, while offering for sale permits and training (created by Wardell). Numerous individuals and businesses, unaware the letter was not from the Department of Agriculture, responded to the letter and purchased the fraudulent permits and training.
The lawsuit asks the court to prohibit Wardell and Diverse Solutions from conducting business in Pennsylvania. It also seeks restitution for all consumers who purchased the fraudulent permits or training, and pursues civil penalties.
This complaint was filed with the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas by Senior Deputy Attorney General Paul D. Edger.
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