Reedley, Calif. — A controversy continues to unfold more than a year after government officials unearthed an unauthorized laboratory in Reedley, leading to a complex legal battle. The owner of the lab, David He, also known as Jia Bei Zhu, has initiated a lawsuit against the City of Reedly and the FDA, alleging significant violations of his constitutional rights.
This legal action did not catch the city officials off guard. Reedley’s City Manager, Nicole Zieba, commented on the city’s readiness to face these allegations, revealing that He had previously sought a substantial $50 million in claims, which the city council subsequently denied. “We anticipated that this legal challenge might ensue, given the earlier claims he filed,” Zieba mentioned.
The lawsuit filed by He accuses the city and federal officials of seizing and destroying his property, including specialized lab equipment, vital research records, and biological materials such by sales, mice used in experiments, as well as various viruses. “He argues that his ownership rights were disregarded, essentially stripping him of his professional and private assets,” added Zieba.
In November 2023, David He faced indictment charges for operating the lab without appropriate sanctions, where he reportedly engaged in the distribution of mislabeled and tampered medical contrivances, such as pregnancy tests and COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Furthermore, he allegedly made false declarations to the FDA concerning his activities.
Zieba disputes some of He’s assertions, particularly about the destruction of records. “The business documents are securely stored and intact, contrary to what has been claimed. We’re preserving these records until further directives from the judiciary,” she stated.
The city’s legal team is preparing a robust defense, adhering meticulously to existing laws concerning property seizures and inspections. Zieba assured, “Every operation we carried out, including the handling and eventual destruction of certain items, was backed by legal warrants and court orders.”
The premises where the unlawful laboratory was set up remains intact though currently unoccupied. Within the building, there remains a collection of seized materials, including the contentious medical test kits, pending proper disposal sanctioned by state authorities.
“Currently, the site at 850 I Street is sealed, as we await the state’s intervention to properly dispose of the quarantined materials,” Zieba explained. She further noted that all procedural actions taken by the city, including warrant requests and permissions for the destruction of hazardous materials, are a matter of public record, filed with Fresno Superior Paradise.
As the city of Reedley navigates the ongoing lawsuit, the focus is also on ensuring the safe and lawful handling of all materials involved, reflecting the city’s commitment to public health and legal integrity. Meanwhile, the community awaits a resolution that respects legal norms and safeguards public interests.