California Bar Owner Arrested for Selling Fake COVID Vaccination Cards
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) holds up a Vaccination Record Card after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination shot by Dr. Brian Monahan, attending physician of the Congress of the United States, in her office on Capitol Hill on December 18, 2020 in Washington, DC. Photo by Ken Cedeno-Pool/Getty Images

A bar owner from California was arrested after authorities busted him for selling fake COVID vaccination cards.

New York Post reported that Todd Anderson, the owner of the Old Corner Saloon in Clements, sold the fake cards to undercover agents several times.

According to ABC News, the announcement of the arrest was made by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control on Wednesday. The department reportedly received a tip on the issue that led to an undercover investigation.

Fake COVID Vaccination Cards Sold in a California Bar

The fraudulent vaccination cards were sold at the bar for about $20. San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office noted that undercover agents purchased the fake COVID vaccination cards on multiple occasions in April.

Tori Verber Salazar, the District Attorney of San Joaquin in California, expressed his disappointment in the incident.

"It is disheartening to have members in our community show flagrant disregard for public health," said Salazar, emphasizing that the incident happened amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Luke Blehm from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control noted that several "finished" and unfinished vaccination cards, along with paper cutters and a laminating machine, were found at the scene. "It appears they were waiting to be given to people," Blehm said.

KCRA reported that the 59-year-old California bar owner sold at least eight fraudulent COVID vaccination cards.

The investigation that succeeded in the arrest of Todd Anderson was a collaboration between the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office.

Todd Anderson is now charged with falsifying a medical record with forging public seals, and several counts of identity theft.

California Bar Owner Investigated

Apart from the mentioned charges, authorities said that Todd Anderson also faces a felony charge, as police seized an unregistered firearm during a search in the bar on Tuesday.

The departments involved in the investigation executed a search warrant to search the bar where the fake cards were sold.

"Distributing, falsifying, or purchasing fake COVID-19 vaccine cards is against the law," said Salazar, adding that it will also put individuals and the people around them in danger.

ABC News noted that the law enforcement officers confiscated at least 30 blank cards during arrest on Wednesday.

Apart from Anderson, investigators said they are also seeking a criminal complaint on one of the bar owner's employees who may have aided in the fraudulent act.

The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) noted that they would file a disciplinary action against the business that may result in the suspension or revocation of its ABC license.

It is not clear whether the California bar owner already has a lawyer that will defend him. The District Attorney's office of the county expressed their gratitude towards the departments that aided them in arresting the man behind the fake vaccination cards.

WATCH: Owner Busted After San Joaquin County Bar Sold Fake COVID Vaccination Cards, Officials Say - From ABC10