PaGe 2 February 11, 2021 THe VaN HorN aDVoCaTe Attorney-at ...
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COURTESY PHOTO During a hearing on Tuesday in Texas’ 394th Judicial District Court, a lawyer who, despite appearances, is not a cat had to clarify the situation before a judge. Government investigating massive counterfeit N95 mask scam By COLLEEN LONG Asso- ciated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal authorities are investi- gating a massive counterfeit N95 mask operation in which fake 3M masks were sold in at least five states to hospitals, medical facilities and government agen- cies. The foreign-made knockoffs are becoming increasingly diffi- cult to spot and could put health care workers at grave risk for the coronavirus. These masks are giving first responders "a false sense of secu- rity," said Steve Francis, assistant director for global trade inves- tigations with the Homeland Security Department's princi- pal investigative arm. He added, "We've seen a lot of fraud and other illegal activity." Officials could not name the states or the company involved because of the active investigation. Nearly a year into the pandemic, fraud remains a major problem as scammers seek to exploit hospitals and desperate and weary Americans. Federal investigators say they have seen an increase in phony websites purporting to sell vaccines as well as fake medicine produced overseas and scams involving personal protective equipment. The schemes deliver phony products, unlike fraud earlier in the pandemic that focused more on fleecing customers. 3M, based in Maplewood, Minnesota, is among the larg- est global producers of the N95 mask, which has been approved by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and is considered the gold stan- dard in protection against the coronavirus. The company deliv- ered some 2 billion N95 masks in 2020 as the pandemic soared, but in earlier months of the pandemic, when masks were in short supply, fraudsters starting popped up. "They're not coming from authorized distributors," said Kevin Rhodes, 3M's vice presi- dent and deputy general counsel. "They're coming from compa- nies really just coming into existence." Rhodes encouraged medical facilities and even workers to look on the company's website for tips on how to spot fakes, namely through packaging or faulty trademarks. "These products are not tested to see if they make the N95 standards," he said "They're not interested in testing them. They're interested in making as many as they can as cheaply as possible." During the pandemic, Home- land Security Investigations has used its 7,000 agents in tandem with border officials, the Food and Drug Administration and the FBI to investigate scams, seize phony products and arrest hundreds of people to help stop fraud. The effort is based at the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, a government watchdog aimed at enforcing international trade laws and combating intellectual property theft. There have been already more than 1,250 raids by law enforce- ment that resulted in the seizure of 10 million counterfeit 3M masks alone. The company has filed more than a dozen lawsuits over reports of fraud, counter- feiting and price gouging. There are many other reports of fraudulent masks that have reached frontline workers. In the latest matter, Home- land Security investigators sent an email warning of poten- tial fraud to certain states. The email, viewed by The Associated Press, said 3M N95 mask models 1860 and 1860S may have been provided by a company called Q2 Solutions and the masks may be fraudulent. The masks have a seal that says "Peru," which is not used outside of Latin America. The company is based in Miami and has offices around the U.S. and globally. It did not respond to requests for comment. Officials in Washington state examined their mask supply, which had come from a differ- ent company, and discovered that 300,000 masks they had purchased for about $1.4 million were counterfeit. Officials are investigating. Beth Zborowski of the Wash- ington State Hospital Association said the fraud has the potential to affect 1.9 million masks but they are mostly in stockpile now rather than general circulation. She said the mask supplier had been vetted and the masks "passed all the physical and visual inspection test." Zborowski said that for a time, the association could not get the masks directly from 3M, but the company now is expediting its order after learn- ing of the fraud. Health care workers "have plenty of anxieties on a day-to- day basis. They don't need to also worry about whether their masks are fake," she said. Attorney-at-paw? Filter makes lawyer look like cat in court ALPINE, Texas (AP) — A West Texas judge has a word of caution to those attending court hearings via Zoom: Always check for filters before logging on. Judge Roy Ferguson's warning comes after an attorney accidentally joined a Tuesday video conference of a civil forfei- ture court hearing while using a Zoom filter that made him appear like a fluffy white kitten. "I'm here live. I'm not a cat," Presidio County Attorney Rod Ponton said. "I can see that," replied Ferguson, whose district covers five counties in West Texas, including the town of Marfa from which Ponton was calling. The short video clip, which was shared online by Ferguson, ends with others coaching the attorney on how to remove the cat filter. The judge said on Twitter: "These fun moments are a by-prod- uct of the legal profession's dedication to ensuring that the justice system continues to function in these tough times. Everyone involved handled it with dignity, and the filtered lawyer showed incredible grace. True professionalism all around!" In an interview, Ponton said he has fielded calls from around the world and has been booked for national television. "I always wanted to be famous for being a great lawyer. Now I'm famous for appearing in court as a cat," he told The Associated Press. WEATHER AT A GLANCE DATE HIGH LOW PRECIP 2/4 80° 46° -0- 2/5 72° 45° -0- 2/6 65° 40° -0- 2/7 69° 32° -0- 2/8 74° 33° -0- 2/9 74° 38° -0- 2/10 77° 38° -0- MONTH-TO-DATE RAINFALL -0- YEAR-TO-DATE RAINFALL .11" (432) 283-2237 WEST TEXAS AVIATION W e at h e r in f or m a ti o n is b r o u g h t t o y o u b y READINGS ARE TAKEN DAILY AT 8 A.M. J&M Guillén Tire Service ALL TYPES OF TIRES - TRUCK & PASSENGER, NEW & USED HANKOOK, KENDA, BF GOODRICH & MORE José M. Guillén/Owner - (432) 284-1381 Mirna B. Guillén/Operator - (432) 284-1131 R O A D S E R V I C E (432) 283-8442/Shop • [email protected] Exit 140-B/801 E. Broadway • PO Box 244, Van Horn, TX 79855 Delivered to your mailbox! SUBSCRIBE TO THE ADVOCATE Send us your letTers Email letters with author’s name, mailing address and daytime phone number to [email protected] Letters can also be mailed to P.O. Box 8 Van Horn, TX 79855 FORT STOCKTON•SANDERSON•SIERRA BLANCA | A BRANCH OF THE PECOS COUNTY STATE BANK Regular business hours will resume on Tue, Feb 16 The Officers, Directors, and Employees would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. Monday, Feb 15 in observance of President's Day NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR COMMERCIAL FLUID INJECTION WELL PERMITS Ring Energy, Inc. P.O. Box 11350, Midland, Texas 79702 is applying to the Railroad Commission of Texas for permits to inject fluid into a formation which is productive of oil and gas. The applicant proposes to inject fluid into a formation which is productive of oil & gas. The applicant proposes to inject fluid in the Delaware Mountain, Roadrunner 18 SWD Lease, Well Numbers 2 & 3. The proposed injection wells are located 74 miles NE of Van Horn, in the Ford, West (4100) Field, in Culberson County. Fluid will be injected into strata in the subsurface depth interval from 2,800 to 3,800 feet. LEGAL AUTHORITY: Chapter 27 of the Texas Water Code, as amended, Title 3 of the Texas Natural Resources Code, as amended, and the Statewide Rules of the Oil and Gas Division of the Railroad Commission of Texas. Requests for a public hearing from persons who can show they are adversely affected or requests for further information concerning any aspect of the application should be submitted in writing, within fifteen days of publication, to the Environmental Services Section, Oil and Gas Division, Railroad Commission of Texas, P.O. Box 12967, Austin, Texas 78711 (Telephone 512- 463-6792). PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: TECHNOLOGY SERVICES The Town of Van Horn is seeking to contract with a qualified consultant for computer services to include networking and computer maintenance/repair. Must be Microsoft (MSCE) Certified. Knowledge of Incode Utility Billing Software, Neptune Water Meter Interface, Hill Country Accounting Software and Van Horn Municipal Court Software. Firewall and remote access experience required. Please submit your proposal of services and a statement of qualifications to: The Town of Van Horn, 1801 W. Broadway, P.O. Box 517, Van Horn, Texas 79855. (432) 283-2050. A complete Request for Proposal outlining the services required by the Town is available at the above address. Proposals must be received by the Town no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 22, 2021 to be considered. The Town reserves the right to negotiate with any and all individuals or firms that submit proposals. The Town of Van Horn is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. OPEN MON. - FRI. | 4 PM – 10 PM SAT. - SUN. | 3 PM –10 PM 1809 W. BROADWAY – (432) 283-7770 PIZZA SHOP 7 DAYS/WEEK NEXT LIVE MUSIC EVENT - February 19 & 20 EXPIRED? DON'T GET CAUGHT WITHOUT IT! 02 CHECK YOUR VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECTION TODAY! VIRDELL TIRE & TOW 607 W. BROADWAY VAN HORN, TX 79855 (432) 283-2343 STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION U-HAUL RENTAL | TIRES 24 HR. ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE (432) 284-1916 502 West Broadway 1pm - 6pm Tues-Thurs *Hair *Nails *Massage *Pedicure *Beauty Products NEW SHOP HOURS www.vhtx.news (USPS 656-640) Published every Thursday by Gilda Morales, 213 East Broadway, P.O. Box 8, Van Horn, Texas 79855-0008, (432) 283-2003 Periodicals postage paid at Van Horn, Texas. TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION MEMBER 2020 Publisher and Editor Gilda Morales [email protected] GM/Advertising Executive Lisa Morton [email protected] Creative Director Dan Baeza [email protected] Printer: PDX Printing, El Paso Texas Postmaster: Send address changes to The Van Horn Advocate, P.O. Box 8, Van Horn, Texas 79855-0008 Annual Subscription rates are $41.50 in county and $43.00 out of county. Online subscriptions are also available at www.vhtx.news LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Policy: Letters to the editor are welcomed. All letters should be kept as brief as possible (400 words or less). They must be signed with name, address and telephone number for verification. Your telephone number will not be published but serves as a method of verification. Anonymous letters will not be printed. The Advocate reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, spelling and punctuation, and to prevent libel, invasion of privacy or distasteful language without altering the desired message. Letters do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of the newspaper. We also reserve the right to reject letters for publication. Deadline to receive letters for publication is close of business on Tuesdays. For e-mail submission, send letters to the editor to: [email protected] THE VAN HORN ADVOCATE PAGE 2 FEBRUARY 11, 2021
Transcript of PaGe 2 February 11, 2021 THe VaN HorN aDVoCaTe Attorney-at ...
CouRtESy Photo
During a hearing on Tuesday in Texas’ 394th Judicial District Court, a lawyer who, despite appearances, is not a cat had to clarify the situation before a judge.
Government investigating massive counterfeit N95 mask scamBy COLLEEN LONG Asso-
ciated PressWASHINGTON (AP) —
Federal authorities are investi-gating a massive counterfeit N95 mask operation in which fake 3M masks were sold in at least fi ve states to hospitals, medical facilities and government agen-cies. The foreign-made knockoff s are becoming increasingly diffi -cult to spot and could put health care workers at grave risk for the coronavirus.
These masks are giving fi rst responders "a false sense of secu-rity," said Steve Francis, assistant director for global trade inves-tigations with the Homeland Security Department's princi-pal investigative arm. He added, "We've seen a lot of fraud and other illegal activity."
Offi cials could not name the states or the company involved because of the active investigation.
Nearly a year into the pandemic, fraud remains a major problem as scammers seek to exploit hospitals and desperate and weary Americans. Federal investigators say they have seen an increase in phony websites purporting to sell vaccines as well as fake medicine produced overseas and scams involving personal protective equipment. The schemes deliver phony products, unlike fraud earlier in the pandemic that focused more on fl eecing customers.
3M, based in Maplewood, Minnesota, is among the larg-est global producers of the N95 mask, which has been approved by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and is considered the gold stan-dard in protection against the coronavirus. The company deliv-ered some 2 billion N95 masks in 2020 as the pandemic soared, but in earlier months of the pandemic, when masks were in short supply, fraudsters starting popped up.
"They're not coming from authorized distributors," said Kevin Rhodes, 3M's vice presi-dent and deputy general counsel. "They're coming from compa-nies really just coming into
existence." Rhodes encouraged medical
facilities and even workers to look on the company's website for tips on how to spot fakes, namely through packaging or faulty trademarks.
"These products are not tested to see if they make the N95 standards," he said "They're not interested in testing them. They're interested in making as many as they can as cheaply as possible."
During the pandemic, Home-land Security Investigations has used its 7,000 agents in tandem with border offi cials, the Food and Drug Administration and the FBI to investigate scams, seize phony products and arrest hundreds of people to help stop fraud. The eff ort is based at the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center, a government watchdog aimed at enforcing international trade laws and combating intellectual property theft.
There have been already more than 1,250 raids by law enforce-ment that resulted in the seizure
of 10 million counterfeit 3M masks alone. The company has fi led more than a dozen lawsuits over reports of fraud, counter-feiting and price gouging.
There are many other reports of fraudulent masks that have reached frontline workers.
In the latest matter, Home-land Security investigators sent an email warning of poten-tial fraud to certain states. The email, viewed by The Associated Press, said 3M N95 mask models 1860 and 1860S may have been provided by a company called Q2 Solutions and the masks may be fraudulent. The masks have a seal that says "Peru," which is not used outside of Latin America. The company is based in Miami and has offi ces around the U.S. and globally. It did not respond to requests for comment.
Offi cials in Washington state examined their mask supply, which had come from a diff er-ent company, and discovered that 300,000 masks they had purchased for about $1.4 million were counterfeit. Offi cials are investigating.
Beth Zborowski of the Wash-ington State Hospital Association said the fraud has the potential to aff ect 1.9 million masks but they are mostly in stockpile now rather than general circulation.
She said the mask supplier had been vetted and the masks "passed all the physical and visual inspection test." Zborowski said that for a time, the association could not get the masks directly from 3M, but the company now is expediting its order after learn-ing of the fraud.
Health care workers "have plenty of anxieties on a day-to-day basis. They don't need to also worry about whether their masks are fake," she said.
Attorney-at-paw? Filter makes lawyer look like cat in courtALPINE, Texas (AP) — A West Texas
judge has a word of caution to those attending court hearings via Zoom: Always check for fi lters before logging on.
Judge Roy Ferguson's warning comes after an attorney accidentally joined a Tuesday video conference of a civil forfei-ture court hearing while using a Zoom fi lter that made him appear like a fl uff y white kitten.
"I'm here live. I'm not a cat," Presidio County Attorney Rod Ponton said.
"I can see that," replied Ferguson, whose district covers fi ve counties in West Texas, including the town of Marfa from which Ponton was calling.
The short video clip, which was shared online by Ferguson, ends with others coaching the attorney on how to remove the cat fi lter.
The judge said on Twitter: "These fun moments are a by-prod-uct of the legal profession's dedication to ensuring that the justice system continues to function in these tough times. Everyone involved handled it with dignity, and the fi ltered lawyer showed incredible grace. True professionalism all around!"
In an interview, Ponton said he has fi elded calls from around the world and has been booked for national television.
"I always wanted to be famous for being a great lawyer. Now I'm famous for appearing in court as a cat," he told The Associated Press.
WEATHER AT A GLANCEDATE HIGH LOW PRECIP
2/4 80° 46° -0-2/5 72° 45° -0-2/6 65° 40° -0-2/7 69° 32° -0-2/8 74° 33° -0-2/9 74° 38° -0-2/10 77° 38° -0-MONTH-TO-DATE RAINFALL -0-YEAR-TO-DATE RAINFALL .11"
(432) 283-2237
W EST TE X AS AV IAT ION
Weather information is brought to you by
R E A D I N G S A R E T A K E N D A I L Y A T 8 A . M .
J&M Guillén Tire ServiceALL TYPES OF TIRES - TRUCK & PASSENGER, NEW & USED
HANKOOK, KENDA, BF GOODRICH & MOREJosé M. Guillén/Owner - (432) 284-1381
Mirna B. Guillén/Operator - (432) 284-1131
ROAD SERVICE
(432) 283-8442/Shop • [email protected]
Exit 140-B/801 E. Broadway • PO Box 244, Van Horn, TX 79855
Delivered to your mailbox!
SUBSCRIBE TO THE ADVOCATE
Send us your letTers
Email letters with author’s name,
mailing address and daytime phone number to [email protected] can also be mailed to P.O. Box 8Van Horn, TX 79855
FORT STOCKTON•SANDERSON•SIERRA BLANCA | A BRANCH OF THE PECOS COUNTY STATE BANK
Regular business hours will resume
on Tue, Feb 16The O� cers, Directors, and
Employees would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday.
Monday, Feb 15 in observance of President's Day
NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR
COMMERCIAL FLUID INJECTION WELL PERMITS
Ring Energy, Inc. P.o. box 11350, midland, texas 79702 is applying to the Railroad Commission of texas for permits to inject fl uid into a formation which is productive of oil and gas. the applicant proposes to inject fl uid into a formation which is productive of oil & gas. the applicant proposes to inject fl uid in the Delaware mountain, Roadrunner 18 SWD Lease, Well Numbers 2 & 3. the proposed injection wells are located 74 miles NE of Van horn, in the Ford, West (4100) Field, in Culberson County. Fluid will be injected into strata in the subsurface depth interval from 2,800 to 3,800 feet.
LEgaL authoRIty: Chapter 27 of the texas Water Code, as amended, title 3 of the texas Natural Resources Code, as amended, and the Statewide Rules of the oil and gas Division of the Railroad Commission of texas.
Requests for a public hearing from persons who can show they are adversely aff ected or requests for further information concerning any aspect of the application should be submitted in writing, within fi fteen days of publication, to the Environmental Services Section, oil and gas Division, Railroad Commission of texas, P.o. box 12967, austin, texas 78711 (telephone 512- 463-6792).
PUBLIC NOTICEREQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
the town of Van horn is seeking to contract with a qualifi ed consultant for computer services to include networking and computer maintenance/repair. must be microsoft (mSCE) Certifi ed. Knowledge of Incode utility billing Software, Neptune Water meter Interface, hill Country accounting Software and Van horn municipal Court Software. Firewall and remote access experience required. Please submit your proposal of services and a statement of qualifi cations to: the town of Van horn, 1801 W. broadway, P.o. box 517, Van horn, texas 79855. (432) 283-2050. a complete Request for Proposal outlining the services required by the town is available at the above address.Proposals must be received by the town no later than 4:00 p.m. on monday, February 22, 2021 to be considered. the town reserves the right to negotiate with any and all individuals or fi rms that submit proposals.the town of Van horn is an affi rmative action/Equal opportunity Employer.
OPENMON. - FRI. | 4 PM – 10 PM
SAT. - SUN. | 3 PM –10 PM
1809 W. BROADWAY – (432) 283-7770
PIZZASHOP
7 DAY
S/WE
EK NEXT LIVE MUSIC EVENT - February 19 & 20
EXPIRED? DON'T GET CAUGHT WITHOUT IT!
02CHECK YOUR VEHICLE FOR STATE INSPECTION TODAY!
VIRDELL TIRE & TOW607 W. BROADWAYVAN HORN, TX 79855
(432) 283-2343STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION
U-HAUL RENTAL | TIRES24 HR. ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE
(432) 284-1916 502 West Broadway
1pm - 6pmTues-Thurs
*Hair *Nails *Massage *Pedicure *Beauty Products
NEW SHOP HOURS
www.vhtx.news (USPS 656-640)
Published every Thursday by Gilda Morales, 213 East Broadway, P.O. Box 8, Van Horn, Texas 79855-0008, (432) 283-2003
Periodicals postage paid at Van Horn, Texas.
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
MEMBER 2020
Publisher and Editor Gilda Morales [email protected]
GM/Advertising Executive Lisa Morton [email protected]
Creative Director Dan Baeza [email protected]
Printer: PDX Printing, El Paso Texas
Postmaster: Send address changes to The Van Horn Advocate,
P.O. Box 8, Van Horn, Texas 79855-0008
Annual Subscription rates are $41.50 in county and $43.00 out of county. Online subscript ions are also available at www.vhtx.news
LETTERS TO THE EDITORPolicy: Letters to the editor are welcomed. All letters should be kept as brief as possible (400 words or less). They must be signed with name, address and telephone number for verifi cation. Your telephone number will not be published but serves as a method of verifi cation. Anonymous letters will not be printed. The Advocate reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, spelling and punctuation, and to prevent libel, invasion of privacy or distasteful language without altering the desired message. Letters do not necessarily refl ect the editorial position of the newspaper. We also reserve the right to reject letters for publication. Deadline to receive letters for publication is close of business on Tuesdays. For e-mail submission, send letters to t h e e d i t o r t o : e d i t o r @ v h t x . n e w s
THe VaN HorN aDVoCaTePaGe 2 February 11, 2021
