SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho, and several other District Attorney’s Offices in California, resolved a civil case against Pure Maintenance Holdings LLC, Pure Products LLC, Michael Adams and Brandon Michael Adams for pesticide violations and unfair business practices.

Michael Adams is the founder and chief operating officer of Pure Maintenance and was a manager of Pure Products. His son, Brandon Michael Adams, is the chief executive officer of Pure Maintenance. Pure Maintenance licenses the use of its “Dry Fog” machines and sold pesticides, including InstaPure and EverPure, to its licensees for use in the machines.

Both Adams appeared in advertising for Pure Maintenance and Pure Products. The defendants made statements about their products that were false and illegal. They claimed that their products were approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, when in fact they were not.  

The statements included that InstaPure was EPA-approved to kill all bacteria and fogging with InstaPure during COVID-19 was promoted. They also falsely claimed EverPure was verified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for effectiveness in sterilization.

Both the father and the son advertised Dry Fog as safe, green, natural and non-toxic when the pesticides sold and used in Dry Fog required “WARNING” or “DANGER” on the label because they are toxic. Both Adams also sold unregistered and registered pesticides without having the required pesticide broker license or paying the required tax.

The stipulated judgment requires the defendants pay $425,000 in penalties and costs, of which $100,000 will go to Sacramento County. It also requires them to hire a compliance manager and put into place practices and protocols to ensure all advertising claims and instructions are consistent with the labelling required for the pesticides used, recommended or sold for its services.

“Law-abiding businesses that follow health and safety regulations should not be undercut by those that violate the law. Consumers deserve accurate information to make informed and responsible choices that protect their families and communities,” Ho said.

The other District Attorney’s Offices participating in the civil case are Fresno County, Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, San Joaquin County, Santa Barbara County and Ventura County.