U.S. attorney asks Northeast Ohio hospitals to report price gouging, hoarding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman sent a letter to Northeast Ohio hospitals Wednesday (April 8) encouraging employees and medical professionals to report individuals and companies that may be acquiring or selling medical supplies for the purpose of price gouging or hoarding.

"Our office is prioritizing the deterrence, investigation and prosecution of wrongdoing related to the COVID-19 pandemic — including those engaged in hoarding and/or price gouging critical medical supplies," Herdman said in a news release. "We are asking for your assistance in identifying individuals and companies that may have acquired vital medical supplies in excess of what they would reasonably use, or for the purpose of charging exorbitant prices."

The letter was sent to various hospitals and health care systems in Northeast Ohio as part of a coordinated, nationwide effort to combat COVID-19-related fraud. On March 20, Attorney General William Barr directed all 93 U.S. attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of COVID-19 fraud.

The U.S. Attorney's Office encourages the public to report COVID-19-related fraud to the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 866-720-5721 or email tips to the Northern District office at USAOHN.COVID19@usdoj.gov.

This story was originally published April 9, 2020 at 5:32 AM with the headline "U.S. attorney asks Northeast Ohio hospitals to report price gouging, hoarding."