San Diego doctor Jennings Staley sentenced in hydroxychloroquine scheme

In March and April of 2020, because the coronavirus unfold and folks isolated of their homes, a health care provider in San Diego boasted that he had his palms on a “miracle remedy,” in keeping with prosecutors — hydroxychloroquine.

In mass-marketing emails from his business, Skinny Beach Med Spa, Jennings Ryan Staley said the drug was included in his coronavirus “treatment kits,” despite the medicine changing into increasingly scarce. But Staley had a way of getting it, he later told an undercover federal agent. He deliberate to smuggle in a barrel of hydroxychloroquine powder with the assistance of a Chinese supplier, prosecutors mentioned.

Staley was sentenced last week to 30 days in prison and a 12 months of residence confinement for the scheme. He pleaded guilty final year.

“At the peak of the pandemic, earlier than vaccines had been obtainable, this doctor sought to revenue from patients’ fears,” U.S. Legal professional Randy Grossman stated in a information launch. “He abused his position of belief and undermined the integrity of the complete medical career.”

Staley’s attorney didn't immediately respond to requests for comment late Monday.

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

Hydroxychloroquine is often prescribed to individuals with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and is used to treat 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 precipitated demand for the drug to spike, resulting in shortages and finally affecting those that needed it for non-covid well being issues. Research later found that hydroxychloroquine isn't an effective therapy for covid and did not forestall folks from becoming sick.

According to prosecutors, federal agents started trying into Staley after concerned clients alerted the FBI to the advertising emails from Skinny Beach Med Spa. The business marketed “world-class magnificence improvements at reasonably priced prices,” court documents show, and offered companies together with Botox, fats switch, hair elimination and tattoo removing.

The covid treatment package came with a 30-day “concierge medical expertise,” intravenous drips, entry to medical hyperbaric oxygen (at an additional price), and prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and anti-anxiety medications, information present.

In late March 2020, an spy responded to one of the emails and inquired concerning the therapy equipment, investigators mentioned. When Staley and the agent spoke on the cellphone soon after, the doctor falsely claimed that hydroxychloroquine was a “magic bullet” and an “superb cure” that would preserve someone immune from covid for at least six weeks, in keeping with court docket records.

“It’s preventive and healing,” Staley mentioned to the spy, court docket documents show. “It’s exhausting to consider, it’s virtually too good to be true. Nevertheless it’s a exceptional scientific phenomenon.”

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

When requested by the agent whether the treatment was a “guaranteed” cure for covid, Staley mentioned yes however certified that “there’s at all times exceptions” and “there are no ensures in life,” courtroom records show.

Throughout the name, Staley also informed the agent how he was sourcing the hydroxychloroquine. He mentioned that he “bought the final tank of hydroxychloroquine smuggled out of China,” information show, 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, regardless of by no means asking him “any medical questions,” prosecutors mentioned. The agent ordered six kits — enough for himself and five family members — for $4,000, in keeping with court docket paperwork.

A Florida man received hundreds of thousands in coronavirus help. 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 settlement, Staley additionally admitted to posing as one in every of his staff to fill a prescription for hydroxychloroquine to then use it in his kits, prosecutors said. And he agreed to accusations that he lied to federal brokers during the investigation.

“Dr. Staley offered a ‘magic bullet’ — a assured remedy for COVID-19 to individuals gripped in concern during a world pandemic,” FBI Particular Agent in Cost Suzanne Turner stated in a information release when Staley pleaded responsible. “At this time, Dr. Staley admitted it was all a lie as part of a rip-off to make a fast buck.”

As part of his sentencing on Friday, Staley was ordered to pay a $10,000 advantageous and to present back the $4,000 the federal agent paid for his family’s equipment. He also had to hand over “more than 4,500 tablets of assorted pharmaceutical drugs, a number of baggage of empty capsule capsules, and a guide capsule-filling machine,” prosecutors said.

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