San Diego doctor Jennings Staley sentenced in hydroxychloroquine scheme

In March and April of 2020, because the coronavirus unfold and people isolated of their houses, a doctor in San Diego boasted that he had his hands on a “miracle remedy,” in response to prosecutors — hydroxychloroquine.

In mass-marketing emails from his enterprise, Skinny Seashore Med Spa, Jennings Ryan Staley stated the drug was included in his coronavirus “remedy kits,” despite the medication changing into more and more scarce. But Staley had a approach of getting it, he later informed an undercover federal agent. He planned to smuggle in a barrel of hydroxychloroquine powder with the assistance of a Chinese provider, prosecutors mentioned.

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

“On the peak of the pandemic, before vaccines were obtainable, this physician sought to profit from patients’ fears,” U.S. Legal professional Randy Grossman stated in a information release. “He abused his position of belief and undermined the integrity of the entire medical occupation.”

Staley’s lawyer did not immediately respond to requests for comment late Monday.

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

Hydroxychloroquine is commonly prescribed to folks with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and is used to treat malaria. The drug was repeatedly touted by President Donald Trump, starting within the early days of the pandemic, as a “sport changer.” Trump’s endorsement prompted demand for the drug to spike, leading to shortages and ultimately affecting those who wanted it for non-covid well being issues. Studies later found that hydroxychloroquine will not be an efficient treatment for covid and didn't stop people from becoming sick.

In response to prosecutors, federal agents began wanting into Staley after concerned customers alerted the FBI to the advertising and marketing emails from Skinny Seashore Med Spa. The enterprise advertised “world-class magnificence improvements at inexpensive prices,” court documents show, and supplied services together with Botox, fats transfer, hair removal and tattoo elimination.

The covid treatment equipment got here 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 medicines, data show.

In late March 2020, an undercover agent responded to one of the emails and inquired in regards to the treatment equipment, investigators stated. When Staley and the agent spoke on the cellphone soon after, the physician falsely claimed that hydroxychloroquine was a “magic bullet” and an “amazing treatment” that would keep someone immune from covid for a minimum of six weeks, according to court data.

“It’s preventive and curative,” Staley mentioned to the secret agent, court paperwork show. “It’s hard to imagine, it’s nearly too good to be true. Nevertheless it’s a outstanding clinical phenomenon.”

He added that the virus “actually disappears in hours” after a person takes the drug.

When requested by the agent whether or not the medication was a “guaranteed” treatment for covid, Staley stated sure however certified that “there’s always exceptions” and “there aren't any guarantees in life,” court docket information show.

During the name, Staley also instructed the agent how he was sourcing the hydroxychloroquine. He mentioned that he “acquired the final tank of hydroxychloroquine smuggled out of China,” data present, and that he “tricked customs” by labeling the barrel as “sweet 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 said. The agent ordered six kits — sufficient for himself and five family members — for $4,000, in response to court paperwork.

A Florida man acquired millions in coronavirus assist. He used it to purchase a Lamborghini, prosecutors say.

Staley was charged in mid-April 2020 and pleaded guilty in July 2021. As a part of his plea settlement, Staley also admitted to posing as one of his workers 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 agents during the investigation.

“Dr. Staley provided a ‘magic bullet’ — a assured cure for COVID-19 to folks gripped in concern during a world pandemic,” FBI Particular Agent in Cost Suzanne Turner said in a information release when Staley pleaded responsible. “In the present day, 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 superb and to provide again the $4,000 the federal agent paid for his household’s equipment. He additionally had to hand over “greater than 4,500 tablets of varied pharmaceutical medication, multiple baggage of empty tablet capsules, and a guide capsule-filling machine,” prosecutors stated.

According to information from the medical board of California, Staley’s license has been quickly suspended by a court docket order.