ST. LOUIS - The United States through the Federal Trade Commission sued a nutritional supplements seller in Missouri federal court for allegedly claiming its products are capable of preventing and treating the COVID-19 virus.
According to the complaint filed on April 15 in the Eastern Missouri District Court, the defendants are Eric Anthony Nepute and his business Quickwork LLC/Wellness Warrior.
Nepute, a chiropractor, owns Nepute Wellness Center in St. Louis. He also owns the Wellness Warrior Club, through which he sells Vitamin D and zinc supplements, multivitamins and other dietary additions.
The COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act signed in December of 2020 makes it unlawful for any person or business to deceive consumers in regard to the treatment, cure, prevention, mitigation or diagnosis of COVID-19.
Facebook removed Nepute's public figure page in February in response to his claims that his wellness products prevented and cured COVID-19.
Nepute and his business are charged with violating the FTC Act, violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act, and consumer injury.