An Arizona couple is facing serious charges for allegedly running a medical clinic business that capitalized on deceptive practices. According to a release from the United States Attorney’s Office, Mary Blakley and Fred Blakley, of Lake Havasu City, have been indicted on counts including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to violate the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The indictment charges that the Blakleys sold what they claimed were “full body scans” for approximately $300, engaging in a scheme that duped clients across the nation. These scans purportedly used "smart chip technology" to diagnose a sweeping range of diseases and medical conditions. However, authorities allege that these claims were unsupported by scientific evidence, and the technology was not approved by the FDA. The indictment also accuses the Blakleys of prescribing questionable treatments based on these scans, further complicating their legal troubles.
Not stopping there, the indictment alleges that the couple's medical clinic business, Blakley Clinics, advertised its ability to perform advanced medical procedures including colonoscopies and electrocardiograms through these supposed “full body scans.” Clients were also prescribed various supplements as well as veterinary products for conditions presumably identified during the ultrasounds. According to law enforcement officials, the severity of the charges reflects the potential harm that such fraudulent activities can cause to unsuspecting patients seeking genuine medical help.
The legal document details that the Blakleys presented Mary Blakley's "smart chip technology" as a medical marvel, capable of quickly and non-invasively ridding the body of serious ailments, such as kidney stones and blood cancers. If found guilty of the respective charges, both Mary and Fred Blakley could potentially face up to 165 years in prison, representing a substantial penalty for their alleged fraud. A conviction is, of course, hypothetical at this stage, as the principle of presumed innocence remains steadfast until any possible proven guilt.
The case is the product of an investigation led by the FBI and the Office of Criminal Investigations of the Food and Drug Administration, highlighting the seriousness of the accusations. Assistant United States Attorneys Ruth Mandelbaum and Paul G. Shapiro are prosecuting the case, reflecting their commitment to regulate and oversee medical practices and protect consumers from fraudulent medical claims. As the legal proceedings unfold, the Blakleys will be subjected to due process where their alleged deceptive medical enterprise will be scrutinized under the law.
