Politics & Government
AG Warns Upper East Side COVID Testing Spot Amid Complaints
Amid allegations of misleading claims, the state's top prosecutor issued a warning to a company running pop-up testing tents on the UES.
UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The COVID-19 testing company that has drawn Upper East Siders' ire for making misleading claims has now received a warning from the state's top prosecutor.
Attorney General Letitia James released a letter Thursday to PacGenomics, a California-based company that has operated pop-up testing tents around the Upper East Side. Earlier this week, City Councilmember Julie Menin said constituents have complained that promised same-day results took well over a week to arrive, while others got results with incorrect test dates.
"New Yorkers are depending on accurate and timely COVID test results to make decisions and they shouldn’t have to wait longer than they were told to know if they can return to work, travel, or gather with loved ones," James said in a statement.
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"We are entering year three of the pandemic and COVID-19 testing sites should not be misleading consumers."
Constituent complaints shared by Menin's office describe widespread confusion among those who were tested by PacGenomics, whose tents have appeared on the corners of East 70th Street and First Avenue, East 68th Street and Third Avenue, and East 72nd Street and Second Avenue, among others.
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"After receiving numerous complaints from my constituents about false and misleading claims made by PacGenomics, we referred this company to New York Attorney General Letitia James and are pleased that she is taking action," Menin said in a statement.
James's letter asks PacGenomics to update its website and signage to reflect accurate turnaround times, and also contact the attorney general's office to explain the incorrect dates included in some results.
The company did not respond to Patch's request for comment earlier this week.
The attorney general's latest letter follows similar missives she has sent to COVID testing companies like ClearMD, LabQ and Labworq, over what she called misleading claims made to consumers.
Previous coverage: UES COVID Testing Sites Are Misleading Residents, Menin Says
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