In a recent court ruling, four members of a Florida family have been found guilty of attempting to sell a toxic industrial bleach under the guise of a fake Covid-19 cure through their online church.
The federal jury in Miami unanimously convicted Mark Grenon, aged 65, and his three sons, Jonathan Grenon (37), Joseph Grenon (35), and Jordan Grenon (29), on charges of conspiring to defraud the United States and delivering misbranded drugs. According to court records, these charges carry a potential prison sentence of up to five years. The sentencing for the family members is set for October 6th.
Throughout the trial, the Grenon family represented themselves but opted not to speak during the two-day proceedings. However, following the jury’s verdict, Joseph Grenon stated that they intended to appeal the decision.
Prosecutors strongly condemned the Grenon family, referring to them as “con men” and “snake-oil salesmen.” They accused the family’s Genesis II Church of Health and Healing, based in Bradenton, of selling their so-called “Miracle Mineral Solution” for approximately $1 million. The solution was promoted in videos as a cure for numerous diseases, including Covid-19, Alzheimer’s, autism, brain cancer, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis, despite no scientific evidence supporting these claims.
In reality, the product the Grenons were peddling was chlorine dioxide, a chemical used for various industrial purposes like treating textiles, industrial water, pulp, and paper, as stated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). When ingested, this solution becomes a bleach, posing severe health risks. Authorities emphasized that drinking it could be fatal.
Despite a court order in 2020 commanding the church to cease selling the harmful substance, the Grenon family ignored the directive. Consequently, Jonathan and Jordan Grenon were arrested in Bradenton, while Mark and Joseph Grenon fled to Colombia. However, they were later apprehended in Colombia and extradited back to the United States to face justice.
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Apart from the fraud charges, Jonathan and Jordan Grenon were also found guilty of violating federal court orders prohibiting them from selling the Miracle Mineral Solution in 2020. As part of their extradition from Colombia, U.S. authorities dropped the same contempt charges against Mark and Joseph Grenon.
