A 'Spotted Lanternfly Commission' That Wasn't: Pennsylvania Sues Over Look-Alike Permit Letters Selling Free Training

Published Oct. 6, 2026. Case statuses are current as of that date.

Pennsylvania businesses that move vehicles and goods inside the state's spotted lanternfly quarantine need a permit. The permit and the training required to get it are free. According to a lawsuit announced Sept. 30, 2026, by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, an Idaho man and his company allegedly sold them anyway, through letters the state says were designed to look like they came from the Department of Agriculture [1].

The Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection sued Kevin Wardell and Diverse Solutions, LLC, alleging they solicited and sold fraudulent spotted lanternfly permits and training under the name "Spotted Lanternfly Commission." The complaint was filed in the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas by Senior Deputy Attorney General Paul D. Edger [1].

Important: This is a civil lawsuit. Its claims are allegations that have not been proven in court, and no court has found Wardell or Diverse Solutions liable. Recording Law reported that as of Oct. 4 it had found no response from the defendants [2]. We also found none.

How the alleged scheme worked

Pennsylvania remains under a Quarantine Order from the Department of Agriculture to stop the spread of the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect. The order requires certain businesses to get a permit. To obtain one, individuals and businesses attend a training offered by the Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension, then take a test. "There is no cost to attend the training or obtain the permit," the Attorney General's Office said [1].

According to the lawsuit, as described by the Attorney General [1]:

1. Official-looking mail. Wardell and his business mailed letters "that included deceptive logos and terminology to appear as if they were from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture."
2. Threats. The letters "threatened civil and criminal penalties if compliance was not immediately obtained."
3. A paid product. At the same time, the letters offered for sale permits and training "created by Wardell."
4. Results. "Numerous individuals and businesses, unaware the letter was not from the Department of Agriculture, responded to the letter and purchased the fraudulent permits and training."

"Pennsylvania is working hard to stop the spread of invasive species such as spotted lanternflies, but they aren't the only pests that are harming Pennsylvanians," Sunday said. He added: "Legitimate training and permits are available for free through the Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension." [1]

What the state is asking for

The lawsuit asks the court to bar Wardell and Diverse Solutions from doing business in Pennsylvania, seeks restitution for all consumers who bought the permits or training, and pursues civil penalties [1]. The announcement did not say how many businesses paid, how much they paid, or which statute the complaint relies on [2]. The defendants' ages and city were not given beyond Wardell being an Idaho resident [1].

A scam aimed at businesses with a real obligation

Most government impersonation scams target individuals with an invented problem, such as a fake warrant or a suspended Social Security number. This alleged scheme targeted businesses that actually do have a compliance requirement, which makes a look-alike letter more believable. The pattern echoes one the FBI tracks among individuals: impersonators who claim a victim's passport, driver's license or professional license is expiring and demand payment for renewal. The FBI received 496 such complaints, with losses of more than $348,000, between January 2025 and July 2026 [3].

Recording Law, which reviewed the state program, reported that Penn State Extension lists its spotted lanternfly permit training for businesses at $0.00. As of Oct. 4, the listing also showed registration closed, so the course is free but not currently open for enrollment [2].

Red flags

• A fee for something the government gives away. Check the agency's own website for the real price before paying anyone.
• A sender name that sounds official but isn't an agency, such as a "commission" that doesn't appear in the state's directory.
• Threats of civil or criminal penalties paired with an offer to fix the problem for a fee [1].
• Logos and seals that look close to, but not exactly like, the real agency's.
• Payment instructions on the letter itself rather than through an official .gov portal.

What to do if you're targeted

1. Go to the agency directly. Use a phone number or web address you look up yourself, not one printed on the letter. The FBI gives the same advice for any contact from someone claiming to be a government official [3].
2. In Pennsylvania, get the real permit through the Department of Agriculture and Penn State Extension training, which the Attorney General says is free [1].
3. If you already paid, contact your bank or card issuer about a dispute, and file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection. The lawsuit seeks restitution for buyers [1].
4. Keep the letter and envelope. They are evidence.
5. Warn others. Share the letter with your trade association or local chamber of commerce so other businesses can spot it.

Case status (as of Oct. 6, 2026)

Defendant	Court	Status as of Oct. 6, 2026	Source
Kevin Wardell (Idaho)	Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas (Pa.), civil	Sued by Pennsylvania Attorney General (announced Sept. 30, 2026); allegations unproven; no response reported	[1], [2]
Diverse Solutions, LLC (operating as "Spotted Lanternfly Commission," per the lawsuit)	Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas (Pa.), civil	Sued; allegations unproven	[1]

A civil lawsuit is not a criminal charge. Statuses can change.

Sources

1. Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, "AG Sunday's Bureau of Consumer Protection Sues Alleged Scammer Selling Fraudulent 'Spotted Lanternfly Permits,'" Sept. 30, 2026. https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/ag-sundays-bureau-of-consumer-protection-sues-alleged-scammer-selling-fraudulent-spotted-lanternfly-permits/
2. Recording Law Editorial Team, "Pennsylvania Attorney General Sues Over Alleged Fake Spotted Lanternfly Permit Mailings," Recording Law, Oct. 4, 2026. https://www.recordinglaw.com/news/pennsylvania-fake-lanternfly-permit-scam-lawsuit/
3. FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, "Scammers Impersonating Law Enforcement and Government Officials in Fraud Schemes," PSA, Sept. 17, 2026. https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA260917

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