Church leader, his 3 sons sentenced to 12 years for selling bleach as 'Miracle Cure' for COVID, HIV and Autism – Newstrends
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Church leader, his 3 sons sentenced to 12 years for selling bleach as ‘Miracle Cure’ for COVID, HIV and Autism

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1 year ago

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Church leader, his 3 sons sentenced to 12 years for selling bleach as ‘Miracle Cure’ for COVID, HIV and Autism

A ‘church’ leader and his three sons have been sentenced to 12 years in prison after making $1 million from sale of toxic bleach they passed off as a ‘miracle cure’ for coronavirus.
The four men: Mark Grenon, 65, and his sons Jonathan, 37, Joseph, 35, and Jordan, 29 were found guilty of conspiring to defraud the U.S. government and FDA by distributing an unapproved and misbranded drug.
Jonathan and Jordon received 12-year prison sentences after being found guilty of two counts of violating federal court orders requiring them to stop selling the drug, while dad Mark and his other son Joseph Grenon both received five-year terms.
The family, all of Bradenton, Florida, began selling Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), a chemical solution containing sodium chlorite that, when mixed with water and a citric acid activator, turns into chlorine dioxide, a powerful bleach.
The Grenons claimed that ingesting MMS could treat, prevent, and cure COVID-19.
The product was sold after the foursome set up a fake Florida church website which conned thousands of people across the US, in 2010. The sales continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Federal Drug Administration never approved MMS for treatment of COVID-19, or for any other use and strongly urged consumers not to purchase or use MMS for any reason.
It explained how consuming MMS was the same as drinking bleach and could cause dangerous side effects, including severe vomiting, diarrhea, and life-threatening low blood pressure.
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In April 2020, the feds cracked down on the enterprise after the Grenons defied FDA orders to stop distributing the toxic substance.
Their defiance of the court order ultimately led to criminal charges and a raid on their home in Bradenton, south of Tampa Bay, where investigators found loaded guns, nearly 10,000 pounds of sodium chlorite powder and thousands of bottles of MMS.
Jonathan and Jordan were arrested in Bradenton, and Joseph fled to Colombia, where he was later extradited by the Colombian authorities.
The Grenons chose to represent themselves during their July trial and said nothing throughout the proceedings until the 12-person jury delivered their verdict, when Joseph told the court: ‘We will be appealing.’
Throughout the trial, prosecutors portrayed the Grenons as con men using the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing website as a front to defraud consumers and the US government.
The Grenons sold tens of thousands of bottles of MMS nationwide, including to consumers throughout South Florida.
During July’s trial, the jury saw photos and video of a dirty rundown shed in Jonathan Grenon’s backyard where they were manufacturing their MMS.
These photos showed dozens of blue chemical drums containing nearly 10,000 pounds of sodium chlorite powder, thousands of bottles of MMS, and other items used in the manufacture and distribution of MMS.
The blue chemical drums of sodium chlorite powder even had warning labels advising the product was toxic, flammable, and highly dangerous to consume.
The relatives used video pitches to appeal to customers, touting MMS as a cure for 95 percent of the world’s known diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and leukemia, even though the FDA had not approved MMS for any use whatsoever.
‘This whole Miracle Mineral Solution scheme was built on deception and dishonesty,’ prosecutor John Shipley said during closing arguments at the trial.
The Grenons sold the product under the guise of Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, an entity they created to avoid government regulation of MMS and shield themselves from prosecution.
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The fake church ‘made it harder for the Food and Drug Administration and government to stop the family from selling snake oil’ Shipley explained.
‘This was no church. This was a scam for money — an old-fashioned scam.’
Shipley and fellow prosecutor Michael Homer described how the Grenons called themselves ‘bishops’ and peddled MMS as ‘sacraments’ to consumers in South Florida and other parts of the United States in exchange for a ‘donation’ to the Genesis church.
On the Genesis website, it was stated how MMS could only be acquired through a ‘donation’ to Genesis, but the donation amounts for MMS orders were set at specific dollar amounts, and were mandatory, essentially making the donation amounts as sales prices.
Genesis’ own websites describe Genesis as a ‘non-religious church,’ and Mark Grenon, acknowledged that Genesis ‘has nothing to do with religion,’ and that he founded Genesis to ‘legalize the use of MMS’ and avoid ‘going to jail.’
The Grenons manufactured the solution in a backyard shed and were already selling the substance as a treatment for the other disorders prior to COVID-19 pandemic.
Mark Grenon was even the subject of an ABC 20/20 expose back in 2016, but he continued to hawk the product for four more years.
The Grenons’ actions may have caused multiple deaths over the years, with the Federal Drug Administration saying it received numerous reports of people requiring hospitalization, developing life-threatening conditions, and even dying after drinking MMS.
The criminal case brought in April 2020 was the first pandemic-related enforcement action in Florida.

Church leader, his 3 sons sentenced to 12 years for selling bleach as ‘Miracle Cure’ for COVID, HIV and Autism

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Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

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November 17, 2024

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Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

Four people, including a soldier, were reportedly killed by suspected cultists in the North Bank area of Makurdi, Benue State, on Thursday and Friday.

Local sources revealed that the victims, including two young men and a soldier, were attacked late Friday night.

Another individual, believed to be a cultist, was killed in his home on Thursday.

Chairman of the vigilance group Operation Shara, Nura Umar, stated, “The soldier and two boys were innocent victims attacked by suspected cultists. The incidents occurred near the BIPC area.”

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However, police spokesperson Catherine Anene confirmed only one civilian death, adding, “Operatives have been deployed to address the situation.”

The area has seen a surge in rival cult clashes in recent weeks, raising concerns over public safety.

 

Soldier, four others killed in Benue during suspected cultists clash

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Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

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4 hours ago

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November 17, 2024

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Senator Ali Ndume and Daniel Bwala

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on Daniel Bwala, the newly appointed Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications to President Bola Tinubu, to apologize to Vice President Kashim Shettima.

In a statement, Ndume attributed his plea to Bwala’s earlier criticism of Shettima’s selection as Tinubu’s running mate, a decision that led to Bwala’s exit from the APC over concerns about the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket.

It should be recalled that Bwala, previously a spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, recently joined Tinubu’s team after being a vocal critic of the ruling party’s decision to present two Muslim candidates for the 2023 presidential election.

Bwala resigned from the APC in July 2022, condemning the party’s choice of Shettima as insensitive to Nigeria’s secular principles. At the time, he publicly opposed the Muslim-Muslim ticket, sparking significant debate.

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In his statement, Ndume said, “I wish to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Daniel Bwala as his Special Adviser on Public Communication and Media. This gesture deserves serious applause, particularly in view of the roles played by Bwala in the recent past.”

Ndume praised Tinubu’s appointment as a move towards inclusivity and reconciliation, urging Bwala to work closely with Vice President Shettima. “You should work with the Vice President closely as your second principal to promote the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President,” Ndume advised.

He also encouraged Bwala to follow the example of key Tinubu allies such as Sunday Dare, Hadiza Bala Usman, and Bayo Onanuga, emphasizing the need for constructive advocacy. “These individuals defend and market Tinubu’s policies backed by facts and figures without being abusive or offensive. Bwala should adopt a similar approach,” Ndume stated.

Highlighting the importance of grassroots connection, Ndume added, “Charity begins at home. You must connect with the grassroots to ensure the administration’s message resonates with the people. I wish you success in your new assignment.”

Ndume tells Bwala to beg Shettima for forgiveness over Muslim-Muslim ticket outburst

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Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

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5 hours ago

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November 17, 2024

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Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

The Supreme Court in Abuja has affirmed Oba Olatunji Kalejaiye’s removal from the throne, the Nloku of Iraye in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The Apex court’s decision affirmed an earlier order of the Appeal Court asking Kalejaiye to stop parading himself as the Nloku of Iraye.

In the Supreme Court ruling delivered by Justice Uwani Musa Aba Aji, the Apex Court granted the application to strike out Kalejaiye’s appeal for lack of diligent prosecution, as prayed.

“Appeal number SC/CV11112022 is at this moment struck out for lack of diligent prosecution,”’ the Supreme Court ruled to end the embattled monarch’s troubled reign as Nloku of Iraye.

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Justices Habeeb Adewale Abiru, M.M. Saulawa, Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme, and Obande Festus Ogbuinya were with Justice Musa on the case.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State had in September 2022, halted the reign of the deposed Nloku of Iraye, Oba Kalejaiye, while ruling on the case (Appeal No: CA/1B/255/2015 Suit No: HCS/65/2019, an appeal filed by Kalejaiye against his deposition in 2015 by a State High Court sitting in Sagamu.

The Justices of the Appeal Court, led by Hon. Justice Moore A. A. Adumein, ruled that “the appeal lacked merit and is hereby dismissed. The Judgment of Hon. Justice Olugbenga Ogunfowora is hereby affirmed.”

Speaking on the Supreme Court judgment, Pa Olu Salau, head of the Sugbada royal family appreciated the Justices for doing justice to the matter brought before them in a brilliant, comprehensive, and incisive manner. He urged all parties in the dispute to accept the judgment as the will of God and the wishes of the good people of Iraye.

 

Supreme Court sacks Remo monarch in Ogun State

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