Government Actions Against Entrepreneur

Imagine founding a business focused on effective smoking cessation products—ones that don’t contain nicotine and outperform existing options. You take the plunge as a major investor, seeing success with 756,000 customers. You’re contributing positively to society, right? Then, without any warning, the federal government intervenes. They freeze all your accounts—personal, business, even retirement savings. A trustee is appointed to liquidate your office assets, and they claim your Fourth Amendment rights don’t apply anymore. They even go so far as to try to take your wife’s wedding ring.

While this scenario might sound far-fetched, it’s actually my reality.

I’m sharing my story for every American to grasp what government overreach truly looks like.

Back in 2018, I found myself in the crosshairs of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). They invoked Section 13(b) of the Trade Regulations—a provision intended solely for injunctive measures, not for asset seizure. Before I even had a chance to establish the FTC’s lack of legal grounds to claim my assets, their appointed receivers burned through nearly $4 million of my funds in fees.

When I sought access to my own money to cover legal fees and living expenses, the government’s response was less than accommodating.

During this turmoil, I was inspired by President Trump’s “Made in America” initiative and established VPL Medical, a California-based company producing the first American-made 3-layer surgical masks. This was before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Yet, when the crisis came, VPL Medical was ready. The Department of Health and Human Services awarded us a contract worth $14.5 million to supply 20 million American-made masks to the national strategic stockpile, promising 400 American jobs. Clearly, this country didn’t want Chinese masks, and we were poised to fill that gap.

Then the FTC decided to take action against VPL Medical as well. While hospitals were scrambling for personal protective gear during the pandemic, our factory sat powerless for three months. The FTC suggested that mask recipients be paid $25,000 weekly to manage their own businesses—which they rejected. This led to the cancellation of the HHS contract, costing us those 20 million masks and the potential jobs.

In April 2021, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in the case of AMG Capital Management vs. FTC that the commission lacked authority for financial relief. Nine judges, zero objections. Unfortunately, my civil lawsuit against the FTC was not as successful. After four years of turmoil, my company was returned to me, but with nothing—ZERO DOLLARS. The impact of the pandemic had shut down factories and canceled contracts, while nearly $4 million had been spent by those claiming eligibility.

There’s no way to reclaim what was lost. Yes, technically you win, but you’re still left in ruins.

In an attempt to escape this nightmare, my family and I took a vacation in Ireland, hoping for some recovery. Or so we thought.

While traveling home to see my ailing father, I was arrested at LAX. The Biden Justice Department charged me for actions similar to those the FTC had unsuccessfully pursued for four years—actions that the previous administration had decided not to prosecute.

This was puzzling. The Trump administration even had a “no stacking” policy that barred such double jeopardy. The alleged consumer harm? Roughly $154 if all affected customers received products or refunds. Meanwhile, my legal costs are soaring into the millions.

What’s happening in my case is quite unusual in the realm of federal prosecutions. The supervisory body withdrew, leaving no replacement for over a year. The U.S. attorney overseeing my case hasn’t been identified, and even the division responsible for trials was shut down. Despite my numerous well-reasoned motions to dismiss— addressing fraud, due process, double jeopardy issues—all were denied by a district court judge appointed by Obama.

In fact, it seems that everyone involved in my case is a Biden or Obama appointee, except for me. This, I think, illustrates the politicized nature of today’s justice system, where corrupt agencies and politically motivated judges target American entrepreneurs who supported President Trump.

I’ve filed a claim with the Department of Justice Anti-Weaponization Fund. I’m not seeking sympathy, merely a commitment to the rule of law. The government needs to substantiate its case—not destroy lives in the process. So far, that hasn’t been my experience. I’m sharing this for all Americans to comprehend what government weaponization truly means.