Reedley biolab operator convicted in scheme to sell millions of faulty COVID tests
Key takeaways
- A man who operated a biolab in Reedley was convicted Tuesday of fraudulently selling $3.8 million worth of COVID-19 tests that he obtained from China and passed off to customers as being American-made.
- But customers testified during the trial that the tests they purchased were missing pieces and did not work, according to prosecutors and court records.
- After a two-week federal trial in Fresno, a jury found 64-year-old Jia Bei Zhu guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, eight counts of wire fraud and a count of making false statements to the FDA about his identity.
Law enforcement conducting a search at a house in Las Vegas, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department via Associated Press) By Hannah Fry Staff Writer Follow May 7, 2026 3:02 PM PT 5 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
A man who operated a biolab in Reedley was convicted Tuesday of fraudulently selling $3.8 million worth of COVID-19 tests that he obtained from China and passed off to customers as being American-made.
Following a two-week federal trial in Fresno, a jury also found 64-year-old Jia Bei Zhu guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, eight counts of wire fraud and a count of making false statements to the FDA about his identity.