An Idaho company is accused of using Pennsylvania’s spotted lantern fly invasion as an opportunity to make money off fake services.
Attorney General Dave Sunday announced a lawsuit against the company and its owner for allegedly deceiving people and businesses into buying fraudulent spotted lanternfly permits and associated training.
Diverse Solutions LLC, owned by Kevin Wardell, solicited and sold the fake permits and training under the name “Spotted Lanternfly Commission,” according to the AG’s office. Letters mailed to residents and companies used deceptive terminology and logos to make it appear as if the permitting program was part of the Department of Agriculture.
The letters said businesses that failed to complete training and obtain a permit would face civil and criminal penalties. A number of individuals and businesses responded and bought the fraudulent permit and training, according to the AG’s office.
“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,” Sunday said.
Citizens and businesses can get legitimate spotted lanternfly permits and training from the Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension, according to the AG’s office.
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.
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.
The complaint was filed with the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas by Senior Deputy Attorney General Paul D. Edger.
