Pennsylvania sues Idaho man over fake spotted lanternfly permits

The Pennsylvania Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against Kevin Wardell and his Idaho-based company, Diverse Solutions, LLC, for allegedly selling fraudulent spotted lanternfly permits and training. Operating under the name ‘Spotted Lanternfly Commission,’ Wardell is accused of using deceptive mailings to trick businesses into believing they were receiving official communications from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

The fraudulent letters reportedly used deceptive logos and terminology, threatening recipients with civil and criminal penalties if they did not purchase the fake materials. Because much of Pennsylvania is under a quarantine order to manage the invasive, crop-threatening insect, certain businesses are required to obtain legitimate permits.

State officials emphasized that legitimate training and permits are provided free of charge through the Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension. The lawsuit, filed in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, seeks to prohibit Wardell and his business from continuing these deceptive practices.