A health and wellness facility in Michigan that was treating potential Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) patients with intravenous vitamin C has been raided and shut down by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for allegedly committing “fraud.”
According to Dr. Charles Mok of the Allure Medical Spa, the FBI and HHS took issue with the facility’s decision to offer “high-dose, intravenous vitamin C to all essential workers who are exposed to COVID-19,” even though this is exactly what China, South Korea, and other countries have been doing to treat their patients.
The two federal agencies reportedly stormed the facility on 26 Mile Road and Van Dyke in Shelby Township just before 8 am on April 23, and proceeded to haul out boxes of medical records and other “evidence,” sorting it into three makeshift tents. All of those involved with the raid were seen wearing full-body protective gear, including gas mask-type face coverings.
“Allegations (are) that the clinic provided fraudulent treatments for COVID-19 and that the clinic did not observe proper protocols to protect patients and staff,” stated FBI spokesperson Mara Schneider about the reason for the raid.
“This is not a typical evidence response team search,” she added. “We would not normally do what ends up being more of a document heavy search. But because of the concerns that we don’t know what we’re walking into, we have our specialty teams here with the appropriate personal protective equipment.”
Dr. Mok routinely administered IV vitamin C for free to patients who could not afford it
The FBI and HHS were after all records and information about the IV vitamin C treatments administered at Allure, including those that were administered for free. Dr. Mok is apparently well known for helping patients get healthy, even if he doesn’t always make money in the process.
According to a fellow doctor at the clinic who wished to remain anonymous, Dr. Mok is “ahead of the curve in this type of treatment and has always put the patient’s health first, often treating them for free.” Dr. Mok himself was also heard in an obtained recording stating:
“If you qualify (for treatment), we will accept whatever your insurance covers – even if it’s nothing.”
IV vitamin C treatments are widely available at medical facilities across the U.S. for patients in need of an immune system boost. But it is apparently not acceptable for health spas to give them to patients who might have the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), and especially not for free.
Before it was shut down by the Feds, the Allure Medical Spa reportedly had plenty of happy, healthy customers. One woman by the name of Nancy Smith told a local Fox affiliate that she has been going to the clinic for years and “always found them to be so welcoming and helpful and informative.”
The FBI has indicated that no arrests were made during the raid, and nobody is currently in custody. The agency has, however, indicated that Dr. Mok is facing federal charges of Health Care Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud.
“The evidence will further demonstrate that MOK used the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to bill insurers for Vitamin-C infusions fraudulently represented as COVID-19 treatments and preventative measures,” a portion of the unsealed criminal complaint reads.
According to Dr. Charles Mok of the Allure Medical Spa, the FBI and HHS took issue with the facility’s decision to offer “high-dose, intravenous vitamin C to all essential workers who are exposed to COVID-19,” even though this is exactly what China, South Korea, and other countries have been doing to treat their patients.
The two federal agencies reportedly stormed the facility on 26 Mile Road and Van Dyke in Shelby Township just before 8 am on April 23, and proceeded to haul out boxes of medical records and other “evidence,” sorting it into three makeshift tents. All of those involved with the raid were seen wearing full-body protective gear, including gas mask-type face coverings.
“Allegations (are) that the clinic provided fraudulent treatments for COVID-19 and that the clinic did not observe proper protocols to protect patients and staff,” stated FBI spokesperson Mara Schneider about the reason for the raid.
“This is not a typical evidence response team search,” she added. “We would not normally do what ends up being more of a document heavy search. But because of the concerns that we don’t know what we’re walking into, we have our specialty teams here with the appropriate personal protective equipment.”
Dr. Mok routinely administered IV vitamin C for free to patients who could not afford it
The FBI and HHS were after all records and information about the IV vitamin C treatments administered at Allure, including those that were administered for free. Dr. Mok is apparently well known for helping patients get healthy, even if he doesn’t always make money in the process.
According to a fellow doctor at the clinic who wished to remain anonymous, Dr. Mok is “ahead of the curve in this type of treatment and has always put the patient’s health first, often treating them for free.” Dr. Mok himself was also heard in an obtained recording stating:
“If you qualify (for treatment), we will accept whatever your insurance covers – even if it’s nothing.”
IV vitamin C treatments are widely available at medical facilities across the U.S. for patients in need of an immune system boost. But it is apparently not acceptable for health spas to give them to patients who might have the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), and especially not for free.
Before it was shut down by the Feds, the Allure Medical Spa reportedly had plenty of happy, healthy customers. One woman by the name of Nancy Smith told a local Fox affiliate that she has been going to the clinic for years and “always found them to be so welcoming and helpful and informative.”
The FBI has indicated that no arrests were made during the raid, and nobody is currently in custody. The agency has, however, indicated that Dr. Mok is facing federal charges of Health Care Fraud and Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud.
“The evidence will further demonstrate that MOK used the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to bill insurers for Vitamin-C infusions fraudulently represented as COVID-19 treatments and preventative measures,” a portion of the unsealed criminal complaint reads.
