San Diego doctor Jennings Staley sentenced in hydroxychloroquine scheme

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

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

Staley was sentenced last week to 30 days in jail and a 12 months of dwelling confinement for the scheme. He pleaded responsible final year.

“On the top of the pandemic, earlier than vaccines had been obtainable, this physician sought to revenue from patients’ fears,” U.S. Lawyer Randy Grossman mentioned in a information release. “He abused his place of trust and undermined the integrity of the entire medical career.”

Staley’s lawyer didn't immediately reply to requests for remark late Monday.

How false hope spread 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, starting in the early days of the pandemic, as a “recreation changer.” Trump’s endorsement brought about demand for the drug to spike, leading to shortages and ultimately affecting those that wanted it for non-covid health problems. Research later found that hydroxychloroquine will not be an efficient treatment for covid and didn't stop folks from turning into sick.

Based on prosecutors, federal brokers began wanting into Staley after concerned prospects alerted the FBI to the marketing emails from Skinny Seaside Med Spa. The enterprise advertised “world-class magnificence innovations at affordable costs,” court docket documents show, and offered companies together with Botox, fat transfer, hair removing and tattoo removing.

The covid remedy kit came with a 30-day “concierge medical expertise,” intravenous drips, entry to medical hyperbaric oxygen (at an extra charge), and prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and anti-anxiety medicines, data show.

In late March 2020, an spy responded to one of the emails and inquired about the remedy package, investigators said. When Staley and the agent spoke on the cellphone soon after, the physician falsely claimed that hydroxychloroquine was a “magic bullet” and an “superb treatment” that will maintain somebody immune from covid for no less than six weeks, in accordance with court records.

“It’s preventive and healing,” Staley mentioned to the undercover agent, courtroom paperwork present. “It’s onerous to consider, it’s almost too good to be true. However it’s a remarkable clinical phenomenon.”

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

When requested by the agent whether the medication was a “guaranteed” cure for covid, Staley mentioned yes but qualified that “there’s always exceptions” and “there aren't any ensures in life,” court docket information present.

Through the name, Staley also advised the agent how he was sourcing the hydroxychloroquine. He mentioned that he “obtained the final tank of hydroxychloroquine smuggled out of China,” data present, and that he “tricked customs” by labeling the barrel as “candy potato extract.” He added that the powder was sufficient 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 stated. The agent ordered six kits — enough for himself and five relations — for $4,000, in keeping with court paperwork.

A Florida man obtained tens of millions in coronavirus help. He used it to buy a Lamborghini, prosecutors say.

Staley was charged in mid-April 2020 and pleaded guilty in July 2021. As a part of his plea agreement, Staley additionally admitted to posing as one of his employees 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 through the investigation.

“Dr. Staley provided a ‘magic bullet’ — a guaranteed remedy for COVID-19 to people gripped in concern throughout a global pandemic,” FBI Special Agent in Cost Suzanne Turner mentioned in a news release when Staley pleaded guilty. “Right this moment, Dr. Staley admitted it was all a lie as a part of a rip-off to make a quick buck.”

As a part of his sentencing on Friday, Staley was ordered to pay a $10,000 fantastic and to provide back the $4,000 the federal agent paid for his family’s package. He also needed to hand over “greater than 4,500 tablets of varied pharmaceutical medicine, multiple bags of empty tablet capsules, and a guide capsule-filling machine,” prosecutors mentioned.

According to data from the medical board of California, Staley’s license has been briefly suspended by a courtroom order.