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Licensed naturopathic doctor Juli Mazi, 41, has been charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of misrepresentation related to health care issues arising from a COVID-19 program
A northern California naturopathic doctor has been arrested on federal charges after being accused of selling fake COVID-19 vaccination treatments and fake vaccination cards.
Juli Mazi, 41, of Napa, has been charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of misrepresenting health issues, the US Department of Justice said in a statement on Wednesday.
This is the first federal prosecution for criminal fraud linked to the sale of homeoprophylaxis lozenges, which falsely promise lifetime immunity to COVID-19, and fraudulent vaccination cards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID- 19, the department said.
Prosecutors said Mazi was peddling false medical information and arousing skepticism as health officials pleaded with the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The pandemic and vaccines have created deep divisions in the United States, with some saying they don’t trust vaccines and will not be vaccinated.
“This doctor has violated the overriding public trust in medical professionals – at a time when integrity is most needed,” said Special Agent in Charge Steven Ryan, of the Inspector General’s office. Ministry of Health and Social Services.
Federal complaint alleges Mazi sold homeoprophylaxis lozenges, believed to contain small amounts of COVID-19 virus, falsely promising lifelong immunity to the disease
Mazi is also accused of selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention marked with doses of Moderna vaccine (pictured)
Federal prosecutors said Mazi had sold homeoprophylactic vaccination lozenges that she fraudulently claimed to offer “lifetime immunity against COVID-19” if swallowed. She told customers the lozenges contained small amounts of the virus and would create an antibody response, prosecutors said.
To encourage customers to buy the pellets, Mazi has made false claims that FDA-cleared COVID-19 vaccines contain “toxic ingredients,” according to the Department of Justice. Mazi is also accused of saying that customers could give the lozenges to children for COVID-19 immunity, and that “the dose is actually the same for babies.”
According to prosecutors, before the pandemic, the Napa-based naturopath already ran a vaccination program in which she offered homeoprophylaxis lozenges for childhood illnesses. They said she falsely claimed they would meet California schools’ vaccination requirements and falsified vaccination cards submitted by parents to California schools.
The investigation into Mazi was triggered by a complaint filed in April with the hotline of the Office of the Inspector General of the Ministry of Health and Social Services. The appellant’s family members purchased the vaccination lozenges from Mazi, who then sent them COVID-19 vaccination cards, with Moderna listed, even though the patients did not receive any of the three approved vaccines, according to the complaint.
“Mazi allegedly asked the complaining family to mark the cards to falsely state that they had received the Moderna vaccine on the date they ingested the COVID-19 homeoprophylactic vaccination lozenges,” prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Mazi provided customers with specific Moderna vaccine lot numbers to put on the cards and told them how to select the dates on the cards they received the vaccines on in order to avoid suspicion.
“According to the complaint, instead of disseminating valid cures and information, Juli Mazi took advantage of the illegal sale of unapproved medicines, raising false fears and generating false evidence of vaccination,” Acting United States Attorney Stephanie said. Hinds for the Northern District of California.
Prosecutors said before the pandemic, Mazi sold homeoprophylaxis lozenges for childhood illnesses and fake vaccination cards submitted to schools
According to an affidavit in support of a criminal complaint, Mazi earned $ 221,817 between January 2020 and May 2021 for 1,242 transactions. Twenty-five transactions valued at $ 7,653 contained notes indicating that they involved COVID treatments.
If convicted, the 41-year-old licensed naturopath could face up to 25 years in federal prison.
According to Mazi’s website, she holds an undergraduate and master’s degree in communication studies from Portland State University and a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from National Medical University. of Portland, Oregon.
“She believes in and deeply respects everyone’s innate ability to discover and find a path to their own well-being,” the page read.
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