DETROIT (AP) - A Detroit-area doctor called his competitors “cowards” and treated hundreds of patients at vein clinics, despite a state order that banned nonessential medical procedures during the coronavirus outbreak, prosecutors said Tuesday.
Charles Mok runs Allure Medical Spa in Shelby Township, although Allure has 26 clinics in eight states, the government said.
Federal authorities charged Mok with submitting false claims to Medicare, alleged acts that preceded the coronavirus outbreak.
But he also has submitted at least 98 claims to insurers for vitamin C therapies that were touted as COVID-19 treatments, the government said.
“Dr. Mok is charged with exploiting the current pandemic to defraud the Medicare program, and putting the safety and health of his patients at risk in doing so,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Schneider said.
A message seeking comment was left for Mok’s attorney. There are no vaccines or drugs approved by the government to treat COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.
Between March 24 and April 14, Allure treated approximately 950 people, who filled waiting rooms while not keeping 6 feet away from each other, an agent said in a criminal complaint against Mok.
Investigators said Mok considered outpatient vein procedures to be essential rather than elective and prohibited by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
When told that other vein clinics had closed, Mok called them “cowards” and saw COVID-19 as an “opportunity to capture the market,” investigators said.
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