Missouri lawmaker indicted for allegedly selling fake stem cell treatments for COVID-19

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) – A Missouri state lawmaker indicted on federal fraud charges for falsely promoting a treatment as having stem cells to help with COVID-19 and other illnesses has been stripped of some of her legislative power.

House Speaker Rob Vescovo on Monday removed fellow Republican Rep. Tricia Derges from all her committee assignments after a federal grand jury indicted the Nixa legislator on fraud charges.

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She allegedly falsely promoted a treatment she was selling at medical clinics as containing stem cells that could treat various diseases, including COVID-19.

The 20-count indictment unsealed Monday also accuses the 63-year-old of illegally providing prescription drugs to clients and making false statements to federal agents investigating the case.

In this May 1, 2017 photo, Dr. Tricia Derges, right, stands with Missouri Rep. Lynn Morris after they testified in support of legislation expanding eligibility for Missouri's assistant physician law at a Senate committee hearing at the state Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. Derges' application had been denied because Missouri took so long to implement the 2014 assistant physician law, but she could become eligible under new legislation recently passed by the Legislature. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb) (AP)

Derges did not immediately respond to phone and email messages Monday seeking comment. She was released on her own recognizance after making an initial court appearance during which she pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Her defense attorney, Stacie Bilyeu, said that after the U.S. attorney's office held a news conference to announce the indictment, Derges' social media was flooded with comments by people who assumed by what they heard that she was guilty, which she called unfortunate.

"These are just allegations, these are just charges," Bilyeu said. "Dr. Derges hasn't been convicted of a thing and she is presumed innocent until, and if, she is — and that simply hasn't happened yet."

Prosecutors say Derges administered amniotic fluid, which she falsely claimed contained stem cells, as a treatment to patients who suffered from various diseases, including erectile dysfunction, Lyme disease and urinary incontinence.

Derges, who was elected in November 2020, also allegedly wrote in an April Facebook post: "This amazing treatment stands to provide a potential cure for COVID-19 patients that is safe and natural," according to the indictment.

A National Institutes of Health panel recommends against stem cells' use for COVID-19  outside of clinical trials.

U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison said in a news release that Derges abused "her privileged position to enrich herself" through deception.

"The indictment alleges she lied to her patients and she lied to federal agents," Garrison said. "As an elected official and a health care provider, she deserves to be held to a high standard. This grand jury indictment exposes her deception and holds her accountable for her actions."

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Derges is not a physician but is licensed as an assistant physician, according to the U.S. attorney's office. She operates three Ozark Valley Medical Clinic sites in Springfield, Ozark and Branson. 

A spokeswoman for Missouri's Department of Commerce and Industry said Derges received a doctorate from the Caribbean Medical University.

Eight counts against Derges involve five victims who lost nearly $200,000 in a fraud scheme that lasted from December 2018 to May 2020. She is also accused in 10 counts of distributing Oxycodone and Adderall over the internet without valid prescriptions. Two counts accuse her of making false statements to federal agents.

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"Derges vowed to do no harm as a health care professional and was elected to serve the people, not deceive them," said Timothy Langan, special agent in charge of the FBI in Kansas City, Missouri. "She used her position for personal gain and damaged the public's trust."

A jury trial was set for March 22.