San Diego doctor Jennings Staley sentenced in hydroxychloroquine scheme

In March and April of 2020, because the coronavirus unfold and other people isolated in their homes, a physician in San Diego boasted that he had his palms on a “miracle treatment,” in accordance with prosecutors — hydroxychloroquine.

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

Staley was sentenced final week to 30 days in jail and a yr of residence confinement for the scheme. He pleaded guilty final year.

“At the peak of the pandemic, earlier than vaccines have been obtainable, this physician sought to profit from sufferers’ fears,” U.S. Lawyer Randy Grossman said in a news release. “He abused his place of belief and undermined the integrity of the complete medical occupation.”

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 consequences that followed

Hydroxychloroquine is commonly prescribed to people with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis and is used to treat malaria. The drug was repeatedly touted by President Donald Trump, beginning within the early days of the pandemic, as a “sport changer.” Trump’s endorsement induced demand for the drug to spike, resulting in shortages and finally affecting those who wanted it for non-covid well being problems. Studies later discovered that hydroxychloroquine will not be an effective therapy for covid and didn't forestall individuals from turning into sick.

In line with prosecutors, federal agents started trying into Staley after involved clients alerted the FBI to the marketing emails from Skinny Beach Med Spa. The enterprise marketed “world-class magnificence innovations at reasonably priced prices,” court docket documents present, and provided companies together with Botox, fats transfer, hair removal and tattoo removal.

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

In late March 2020, an spy responded to one of many emails and inquired about the remedy equipment, investigators mentioned. When Staley and the agent spoke on the telephone quickly after, the physician falsely claimed that hydroxychloroquine was a “magic bullet” and an “superb treatment” that may maintain someone immune from covid for at the least six weeks, in line with court docket data.

“It’s preventive and healing,” Staley stated to the secret agent, court docket documents present. “It’s exhausting to imagine, it’s nearly too good to be true. But it surely’s a outstanding clinical phenomenon.”

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

When asked by the agent whether or not the medication was a “guaranteed” treatment for covid, Staley stated sure but certified that “there’s at all times exceptions” and “there are no ensures in life,” courtroom records show.

During the name, Staley additionally instructed the agent how he was sourcing the hydroxychloroquine. He mentioned that he “received the final tank of hydroxychloroquine smuggled out of China,” records 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 supplied the agent prescriptions for generic versions of Viagra and Xanax, a federally managed substance, regardless of by no means asking him “any medical questions,” prosecutors said. The agent ordered six kits — enough for himself and 5 family members — for $4,000, in keeping with court paperwork.

A Florida man received thousands and thousands in coronavirus help. 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 agreement, Staley also admitted to posing as considered one 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 agents throughout the investigation.

“Dr. Staley offered a ‘magic bullet’ — a guaranteed treatment for COVID-19 to people gripped in concern during a world pandemic,” FBI Particular Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner stated in a news launch when Staley pleaded guilty. “At present, Dr. Staley admitted it was all a lie as part of a rip-off to make a quick buck.”

As part of his sentencing on Friday, Staley was ordered to pay a $10,000 effective and to give back the $4,000 the federal agent paid for his family’s kit. He additionally had to hand over “more than 4,500 tablets of assorted pharmaceutical medication, multiple luggage of empty pill capsules, and a guide capsule-filling machine,” prosecutors stated.

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