Missouri’s top prosecutor sued televangelist Jim Bakker for allegedly making “misrepresentations” about a “Silver Solution” to treat coronavirus.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit on Tuesday over a Feb. 12 episode of Bakker’s show in which he and “naturopathic doctor” Sherrill Sellman claim the elixir could treat the coronavirus. Sellman said on the show the solution had not been tested on COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, but it had cured similar illnesses.
Shortly after the broadcast, the Food and Drug Administration and the New York attorney general sent cease-and-desist letters to Bakker. Scientists around the world are developing a vaccine for the coronavirus, but no cure currently exists, according to the World Health Organization.
“The 2019 novel coronavirus poses serious consequences to public health, and consumers are concerned as to how they can best protect themselves and their families,” the New York attorney general’s office said. “Your show’s segment may mislead consumers as to the effectiveness of the Silver Solution product in protecting against the current outbreak.”
Fake coronavirus cures have flooded the internet, prompting some businesses and governments to take action against the fraudulent products. Amazon removed more than 1 million products that made fake or unverifiable claims about the coronavirus from its online retailer last month.
In Iran, 44 people died after drinking poisonous bootlegged alcohol that was rumored to defend against the coronavirus.
The coronavirus outbreak has been traced back to Wuhan, China. Since the outbreak began late last year, more than 118,000 people have been infected worldwide, and more than 4,200 have died. In the United States, 28 people have died, and more than 750 have been infected.
