Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Halsey B. Frank advised the public Friday that cards and other documents bearing the Department of Justice seal and claiming that individuals are exempt from face mask requirements are fraudulent.
There have been reports of individuals in Maine handing out cards claiming that the bearer is exempt from face mask requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Department of Justice also is aware of postings or flyers on the internet making the same claims. Many of these documents include the Department’s seal. The following is an example of a card that has been distributed in Maine:
These documents were not issued by the Department, and the Department does not endorse them. The Department also has not granted permission for the use of its seal for this purpose. Misuse of the Department seal is a federal crime.
The day before, Thursday, June 25, U.S. Attorney Matthew G.T. Martin of the Middle District of North Carolina urged the public to be aware regarding fraudulent postings, cards, or flyers on the internet regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the use of face masks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of which include the United States Department of Justice’s seal.
The Department urges the public not to rely on the information contained in these documents and to visit https://www.ada.gov/ for ADA information issued by the Department.
For more information and technical assistance about the ADA, please contact the ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) and 800-514-0383 (TTY).