San Diego doctor Jennings Staley sentenced in hydroxychloroquine scheme

In March and April of 2020, as the coronavirus unfold and other people isolated of their houses, a physician in San Diego boasted that he had his hands on a “miracle cure,” according to prosecutors — hydroxychloroquine.

In mass-marketing emails from his business, Skinny Beach Med Spa, Jennings Ryan Staley stated the drug was included in his coronavirus “therapy kits,” despite the medicine changing into increasingly scarce. But Staley had a method of getting it, he later informed an undercover federal agent. He planned to smuggle in a barrel of hydroxychloroquine powder with the help of a Chinese language supplier, prosecutors stated.

Staley was sentenced final week to 30 days in jail and a yr of dwelling confinement for the scheme. He pleaded guilty last yr.

“On the top of the pandemic, earlier than vaccines had been available, this doctor sought to revenue from sufferers’ fears,” U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman stated in a information launch. “He abused his position of trust and undermined the integrity of the complete medical career.”

Staley’s legal professional didn't instantly respond to requests for remark late Monday.

How false hope unfold about hydroxychloroquine to deal with covid-19 — and the consequences that followed

Hydroxychloroquine is usually prescribed to individuals with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and is used to deal with malaria. The drug was repeatedly touted by President Donald Trump, beginning in the early days of the pandemic, as a “sport changer.” Trump’s endorsement brought about demand for the drug to spike, leading to shortages and in the end affecting those who wanted it for non-covid health problems. Research later found that hydroxychloroquine is just not an efficient remedy for covid and did not forestall people from becoming sick.

Based on prosecutors, federal agents began wanting into Staley after involved prospects alerted the FBI to the advertising emails from Skinny Seaside Med Spa. The enterprise advertised “world-class beauty innovations at affordable costs,” court documents show, and supplied providers including Botox, fat switch, hair elimination and tattoo elimination.

The covid treatment equipment got here with a 30-day “concierge medical experience,” intravenous drips, entry to medical hyperbaric oxygen (at an extra fee), and prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and anti-anxiety medications, information show.

In late March 2020, an secret agent responded to one of the emails and inquired about the therapy equipment, investigators mentioned. When Staley and the agent spoke on the cellphone quickly after, the physician falsely claimed that hydroxychloroquine was a “magic bullet” and an “superb treatment” that may keep someone immune from covid for no less than six weeks, according to courtroom information.

“It’s preventive and curative,” Staley said to the undercover agent, courtroom documents show. “It’s hard to imagine, it’s nearly too good to be true. But it’s a remarkable scientific phenomenon.”

He added that the virus “actually disappears in hours” after an individual takes the drug.

When asked by the agent whether the remedy was a “assured” treatment for covid, Staley said sure however certified that “there’s always exceptions” and “there aren't any guarantees in life,” court information present.

In the course of the name, Staley additionally instructed the agent how he was sourcing the hydroxychloroquine. He stated that he “acquired the final tank of hydroxychloroquine smuggled out of China,” information present, and that he “tricked customs” by labeling the barrel as “candy potato extract.” He added that the powder was enough to make 8,000 doses in gelatin capsules.

Staley later provided the agent prescriptions for generic versions of Viagra and Xanax, a federally controlled substance, despite never asking him “any medical questions,” prosecutors mentioned. The agent ordered six kits — sufficient for himself and 5 members of the family — for $4,000, in accordance with court paperwork.

A Florida man obtained hundreds of thousands in coronavirus assist. He used it to purchase a Lamborghini, prosecutors say.

Staley was charged in mid-April 2020 and pleaded responsible in July 2021. As part of his plea agreement, Staley additionally admitted to posing as one of his workers to fill a prescription for hydroxychloroquine to then use it in his kits, prosecutors mentioned. And he agreed to accusations that he lied to federal agents throughout the investigation.

“Dr. Staley offered a ‘magic bullet’ — a guaranteed cure for COVID-19 to people gripped in fear throughout a world pandemic,” FBI Particular Agent in Cost Suzanne Turner stated in a news release when Staley pleaded responsible. “As we speak, Dr. Staley admitted it was all a lie as part of a scam to make a fast buck.”

As part of his sentencing on Friday, Staley was ordered to pay a $10,000 effective and to offer back the $4,000 the federal agent paid for his household’s package. He also needed to hand over “greater than 4,500 tablets of varied pharmaceutical drugs, a number of luggage of empty capsule capsules, and a guide capsule-filling machine,” prosecutors mentioned.

In line with information from the medical board of California, Staley’s license has been temporarily suspended by a courtroom order.