Prosecutors have beaten a Republican state lawmaker in Missouri with more than a dozen charges after saying she administered what she claimed was a cure for the coronavirus that turned out to be fake.
Patricia Ashton Derges, 63, faces 20 criminal charges, including fraud and cable distribution over the internet without a valid prescription for the promotion of an alleged stem cell treatment marketed through her clinics in the south of Missouri, according to a federal indictment that was not sealed. and reported the Washington Post.
“This defendant abused her privileged position to get rich through deception,” U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison said Monday in an indictment of the charges. “The indictment alleges that she lied to her patients and lied to federal agents. As an elected official and health care provider, she deserves to be kept at a high level. This grand jury indictment exposes her deception. and makes her responsible for her actions. “
Derges was elected to the Missouri state house in November.
Prosecutors said an investigation into the legislature was initiated as a result of false or misleading statements he made in April 2020 to a local TV channel about his “potential use of stem cells to treat COVID -19 “.
Federal lawsuits accuse Derges of eight cable fraud offenses related to five victims. The victims were among those who lost an estimated total of $ 200,000 in the fraud plan. Derges is not a doctor, but he is licensed as an assistant doctor.
“We place our hope and our trust in health care providers and government officials,” Timothy Langan, special agent in charge of the FBI in Kansas City, said in a statement. “The defendant’s actions are not only a betrayal of this trust, but his actions erode the very core of our trust in a system we trust. Derges pledged not to hurt as a health professional and was chosen to serve the people, not deceive them. He used his position for personal gain and damaged the public’s confidence. “
Stacie R. Bilyeu, of Derges lawyer, told the newspaper that Derges plans to plead not guilty to the charges and called the indictment “unilateral.”
“The indictment contains mere allegations and these allegations have not yet been proven,” Bilyeu said.
On Monday, in a Facebook post, after the charges against her were announced, Derges posted an image of biblical figures David and Goliath.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a more appropriate image to represent that day,” he said. “Despite this ‘Goliath,’ I will continue to help those who need it and defend the rights of all of us. Lies and twisted words mean nothing. Truth and justice mean everything. I can stand before God and know that He will smile at me.” “Goliath can’t get it out as much as he tries. Fair people are always able to discern the truth, I trust him.”