A bar owner in northern California was arrested on suspicion of selling fraudulent vaccination certification cards for $20 to several undercover state officers, ABC News reports. It appears to be the first case of someone arrested for selling fake vaccination cards.
Officials received a tip that Todd Anderson, the owner of Old Corner Saloon in Clement, was selling vaccination cards from the bar. Undercover agents with the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control went to the bar several times at the end of April and bought fake laminated cards.
“He was in possession of a number of other unfilled-out COVID-19 vaccination cards, a laminating machine, laminate and several other cards that were finished. And it appears that they were waiting to be given to people,” supervising agent Luke Blehm said.
Anderson was charged with three felonies, including identity theft, forging government documents and carrying an unregistered firearm. He also was charged with falsifying medical records, a misdemeanor, according to ABC News.
California has opened access to public events for people who can provide evidence that they have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.