California medspa doctor charged with Federal fraud after claiming hydroxychloroquine “cures” Covid-19

A Southern California doctor is facing federal fraud charges after he allegedly told patients that the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine was a “magic bullet” that “cures” Covid-19.

Dr. Jennings Ryan Staley, 44, is the medical director of the Skinny Beach medical spa in San Diego, which normally offers services such as lip fillers, botox, and fat transfers. When the coronavirus pandemic broke out, the spa appears to have been transformed into a service selling patients coronavirus packages including hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, the other part of the controversial coronavirus drug cocktail, as well as vitamin C and zinc for nearly $4,000. The packets also allegedly included “anti-anxiety treatments,” according to the FBI.

“Complimentary COVID-19 Consultation & New Services Now Available – COVID-19 telemedicine consultations, testing, and treatment now available at home,” advertised a post on Facebook dated April 2.

On his clinic’s website, Staley describes himself as a former US Air Force major, and in 2006, according to his hometown newspaper, Staley served as physician in Iraq, treating Iraqi civilians and soldiers. Based on posts on his Facebook page he appears to be a fervent supporter of US president Donald Trump—himself a fervent supporter of hydroxychloroquine, which the president has described as a “miracle” drug.

In late March, says a criminal complaint filed today in California federal court, an undercover FBI agent responded to a Skinny Beach marketing email offering “family resistance packs” of hydroxychloroquine for $3,995, with enough 20 mg tablets for four people. The agent told Staley he’d be needing enough medication for six—him, his wife, their three kids, and his father, who was coming to live with the family.

Staley is now charged with devising “a scheme to defraud, and to obtain money by means of false and fraudulent pretenses, representations, and promises regarding the curative and preventative efficacy of his COVID-19 treatments.” Neither Staley nor Skinny Beach responded to a request for comment.

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