Coronavirus Latest: Maryland Attorney General Investigating Blue Flame Medical After State Cancels PPE Order
ANNAPOLIS (WJZ) -- Blue Flame Medical is now being investigated by Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh for failure to perform and for potential misrepresentation.
This comes after Gov. Larry Hogan ordered the Maryland Department of General Services to cancel a personal protective equipment order and directed Frosh to open an investigation into the company.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATES:
- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Says COVID-19 Hospitalizations Decreasing, ICU Numbers Flattening
- Maryland Schools Will Remain Closed Through Academic Year
- Some 'Low Risk' Outdoor Activities Restrictions Lifted In Maryland Starting Thursday
He said it is now being reported that the Department of Justice is also launching an investigation into the company's interactions with multiple states, including California, which reportedly wired half a billion dollars to the company for masks.
"It is unconscionable that anyone would try to exploit this pandemic for profit or personal gain, which is why I'm pleased that we were able to act so swiftly to uncover Blue Flame's potential wrongdoings and to alert authorities," Gov. Hogan said.
An attorney for Blue Flame, Ethan Bearman, has said to the Washington Post that the firm acted in good faith with the states. He declined to comment about the Justice Department investigation.
According to Post reporting, June 30 was set to be the delivery deadline, but only because June 30 is the end of the fiscal year. According to a Blue Flame invoice obtained by the Post, the agreed-upon shipping date for masks and ventilators was April 14.
For the latest information on coronavirus go to the Maryland Health Department's website or call 211. You can find all of WJZ's coverage on coronavirus in Maryland here.
