Statement From District Attorney Rocah on Governor Hochul Signing COVID-19 Legislation and the Creation of Multi-Agency COVID Vaccine Fraud Task Force
Dec. 23, 2021 -- We commend Governor Kathy Hochul for signing legislation that will enable law enforcement to better protect our communities against COVID-19 and those who seek to thwart vaccine requirements through fraudulent acts. The new legislation clarifies that making, possessing or selling a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccine cards is a crime and criminalizes computer tampering related to COVID-19 vaccine provisions.
We are also pleased to announce the COVID-19 Vaccination Fraud Task Force to combat instances of fraud associated with COVID-19 vaccinations. The task force, which has already been meeting and collaborating, includes the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York County District Attorney’s Office, together with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. As part of our ongoing efforts in this area, we are releasing the attached public service announcement.
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Jess Vecchiarelli, Director of Communications
(914) 995-3586