San Diego physician Jennings Staley sentenced in hydroxychloroquine scheme

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

In mass-marketing emails from his enterprise, Skinny Beach Med Spa, Jennings Ryan Staley mentioned the drug was included in his coronavirus “remedy kits,” regardless of the remedy becoming increasingly scarce. However Staley had a approach of getting it, he later advised an undercover federal agent. He deliberate to smuggle in a barrel of hydroxychloroquine powder with the assistance of a Chinese language supplier, prosecutors stated.

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

“At the top of the pandemic, before vaccines had been out there, this doctor sought to revenue from patients’ fears,” U.S. Legal professional Randy Grossman stated in a information release. “He abused his place of belief and undermined the integrity of the whole medical profession.”

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

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

Hydroxychloroquine is often prescribed to folks 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 “recreation changer.” Trump’s endorsement triggered demand for the drug to spike, leading to shortages and finally affecting those who wanted it for non-covid well being problems. Studies later found that hydroxychloroquine just isn't an efficient remedy for covid and didn't forestall people from changing into sick.

According to prosecutors, federal agents started looking into Staley after concerned prospects alerted the FBI to the marketing emails from Skinny Beach Med Spa. The enterprise advertised “world-class magnificence improvements at reasonably priced prices,” court documents present, and supplied companies including Botox, fats switch, hair removing and tattoo removing.

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

In late March 2020, an undercover agent responded to one of many emails and inquired in regards to the therapy kit, investigators stated. When Staley and the agent spoke on the phone soon after, the physician falsely claimed that hydroxychloroquine was a “magic bullet” and an “superb remedy” that might keep somebody immune from covid for not less than six weeks, in line with court records.

“It’s preventive and healing,” Staley stated to the undercover agent, court docket documents show. “It’s exhausting to consider, it’s almost too good to be true. But it surely’s a outstanding scientific phenomenon.”

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

When requested by the agent whether the medicine was a “assured” remedy for covid, Staley mentioned yes however certified that “there’s at all times exceptions” and “there are no ensures in life,” court docket data show.

Throughout the call, Staley also informed the agent how he was sourcing the hydroxychloroquine. He said that he “obtained the last 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 sufficient to make 8,000 doses in gelatin capsules.

Staley later supplied the agent prescriptions for generic variations of Viagra and Xanax, a federally managed substance, regardless of never asking him “any medical questions,” prosecutors stated. The agent ordered six kits — enough for himself and 5 family members — for $4,000, according to court paperwork.

A Florida man acquired tens of millions in coronavirus assist. 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 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 brokers during the investigation.

“Dr. Staley supplied a ‘magic bullet’ — a assured treatment for COVID-19 to individuals gripped in concern throughout a worldwide pandemic,” FBI Particular Agent in Cost Suzanne Turner stated in a information release when Staley pleaded guilty. “At this time, 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 effective and to provide back the $4,000 the federal agent paid for his family’s equipment. He also needed to hand over “greater than 4,500 tablets of varied pharmaceutical drugs, a number of baggage of empty pill capsules, and a manual capsule-filling machine,” prosecutors said.

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