San Diego physician Jennings Staley sentenced in hydroxychloroquine scheme

In March and April of 2020, because the coronavirus spread and other people isolated of their properties, a health care provider in San Diego boasted that he had his hands on a “miracle treatment,” based on prosecutors — hydroxychloroquine.

In mass-marketing emails from his enterprise, Skinny Seaside Med Spa, Jennings Ryan Staley said the drug was included in his coronavirus “treatment kits,” regardless of the treatment becoming more and more scarce. But Staley had a manner 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 supplier, prosecutors said.

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

“On the top of the pandemic, before vaccines have been out there, this doctor sought to profit from patients’ fears,” U.S. Lawyer Randy Grossman said in a news release. “He abused his position of belief and undermined the integrity of the whole medical career.”

Staley’s lawyer didn't instantly respond to requests for comment late Monday.

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

Hydroxychloroquine is commonly prescribed to folks with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and is used to deal with malaria. The drug was repeatedly touted by President Donald Trump, starting within the early days of the pandemic, as a “recreation changer.” Trump’s endorsement brought on demand for the drug to spike, resulting in shortages and in the end affecting those who wanted it for non-covid health problems. Studies later found that hydroxychloroquine just isn't an efficient treatment for covid and didn't stop individuals from becoming sick.

In line with 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 magnificence innovations at reasonably priced costs,” courtroom paperwork show, and supplied services including Botox, fats transfer, hair removal and tattoo removal.

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

In late March 2020, an secret agent responded to one of many emails and inquired about the remedy package, 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 “wonderful cure” that may hold somebody immune from covid for a minimum of six weeks, according to court records.

“It’s preventive and curative,” Staley mentioned to the spy, courtroom paperwork show. “It’s exhausting to believe, it’s virtually too good to be true. But it’s a outstanding clinical phenomenon.”

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

When requested by the agent whether or not the treatment was a “assured” cure for covid, Staley said yes however certified that “there’s always exceptions” and “there aren't any ensures in life,” court docket information show.

During the call, Staley also instructed the agent how he was sourcing the hydroxychloroquine. He mentioned that he “acquired the last 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 offered the agent prescriptions for generic versions of Viagra and Xanax, a federally controlled substance, regardless of never asking him “any medical questions,” prosecutors said. The agent ordered six kits — enough for himself and 5 family members — for $4,000, in accordance with courtroom paperwork.

A Florida man obtained tens of millions in coronavirus support. 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 in every of his employees to fill a prescription for hydroxychloroquine to then use it in his kits, prosecutors stated. And he agreed to accusations that he lied to federal brokers in the course of the investigation.

“Dr. Staley supplied a ‘magic bullet’ — a guaranteed cure for COVID-19 to individuals gripped in fear during a worldwide pandemic,” FBI Particular Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner mentioned in a information release when Staley pleaded guilty. “At this time, Dr. Staley admitted it was all a lie as part of a scam to make a quick buck.”

As part of his sentencing on Friday, Staley was ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and to provide again the $4,000 the federal agent paid for his family’s kit. He additionally needed to hand over “more than 4,500 tablets of various pharmaceutical drugs, a number of luggage of empty pill capsules, and a manual capsule-filling machine,” prosecutors said.

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