A St. Louis radio host named Eric Nepute has agreed to pay a fine of $80,000 and refrain from marketing his vitamin products as effective preventatives against COVID-19.
According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Nepute is a part-owner of Quickwork LLC, which had previously agreed to pay a $1 million fine. Although he did not admit to any of the allegations, Nepute signed the agreement to avoid further expenses and uncertainty associated with the lawsuit, according to the settlement document.
“It’s a very favorable settlement,” said Nepute’s attorney Jay Dobbs in an interview. “He admitted no liability and paid less than it would’ve cost to go to trial.”
Nepute is a radio talk show host on Real Talk Radio Network 93.3FM. He also runs wellness centers in south St. Louis County and Creve Coeur and sells vitamins and supplements. However, in 2021, Nepute and Quickwork were the subjects of controversy over COVID-19 and the efficacy of a newly released vaccine. Federal officials took notice, as Nepute was accused of falsely claiming that his vitamin D and zinc supplements could prevent or cure COVID-19.
Nepute and Quickwork were defendants in a lawsuit, which was the first to be filed under the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act. This Act was passed in December 2020 to prevent scams and misinformation related to the coronavirus pandemic.
Federal authorities accused Nepute of spreading false information, taking advantage of people’s fears during a pandemic, and posing a significant threat to public safety. The accusations were related to his Facebook videos and other forms of false advertising.
A month after the incident, Nepute consented to an order and pledged to refrain from making any claims that his vitamin products could cure or treat COVID-19. However, in March 2022, federal officials accused him of civil contempt for allegedly stating on his radio show that vitamins were “significantly more advantageous” than vaccines.
