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What's the crime? I understand why morally this might be repugnant but is it illegal? Based on the linked article they arrested him for things unrelated: "Of

What's the crime? I understand why morally this might be repugnant but is it illegal? Based on the linked article they arrested him for things unrelated: "Officials said they seized the supplies from Baruch Feldheim, a 43-year-old Brooklyn man arrested on March 30 for lying about his activity and coughing on FBI agents who questioned him."

gene91 7y ago
Many US states (or locals) have laws against price gouging during a declared emergency. In the case of NYC, see https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/media/Face-Masks-in-Short-Supply-Due-to-COVID-19.page https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/media/Face-Masks-in-Short-Supp...
- marklyon 7y ago
  What portion of that law makes immediate seizure and redistribution an appropriate penalty? Are alleged price gougers not entitled to due process? https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/media/pr031720-DCWP-Emergency-Rule-Price-Gouging-Illegal.page https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/media/pr031720-DCWP-Emergency-...
  - jahewson 7y ago
    No portion - the relevant law simply imposes a fine. In this case the Federal government seized them under the Defense Production Act and will reimburse at market value. There’s multiple overlapping laws and authorities working together in this case.
detaro 7y ago
Under the Defense Production act, the federal government can seize "health and medical resources necessary to respond to the spread of COVID-19" for the US government. EDIT: other article: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/02/politics/hhs-redistributing-seized-medical-supplies/index.html https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/02/politics/hhs-redistributi... > HHS said it used its Defense Production Act authority to take possession of the items for the US government and will pay Feldheim the market value.