Agents with evidence boxes after a warrant search of the 26 Mile Road clinic. (Photo: WJBK)
FBI agents with protective coveralls, face shields and breathing filters seized records and other evidence at a Macomb County medical practice under scrutiny for allegedly phony coronavirus treatments.
The target is the Shelby Township base of Allure Medical Spa, which has six other Metro Detroit sites and one in Lansing.
A search warrant was served as the 26 Mile Road business opened at 8 a.m., Charlie Langton of WWJ reports. Representatives of the federal Department of Health and Human Services were there, the broadcaster says. No arrests or charges are reported.
Mara Schneider, a FBI agent, says in a statement that the "investigation includes allegations that the clinic provided fraudulent treatments for Covid-19, and that the clinic did not observe proper protocols to protect patients and staff from the virus."
WWJ says at its site:
Earlier this month, Allure Medical announced its founder, Dr. Charles Mok, was providing high-dose intravenous Vitamin C therapy to all essential Michigan workers at risk of contracting Covid-19.
A news release issued by Allure on April 16 claimed the treatment was being used in hospitals around the country to treat the most severe symptoms associated with the coronavirus. ... That claim has been unproven, according to federal health officials.
At this time, there are no drugs or other therapeutics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent or treat Covid-19.
Dr. Charles Mok
Dr. Mok, an osteopath, did his medical residency at Mount Clemens General Hospital and started Allure in 2004.
It also has clinics in Roseville, West Bloomfield, Warren, Southgfate, Clarkston, Livonia and the state capitals, plus 13 branches in four southern states. The practice offers dermatology, hormone replacement, stem cell therapy, weight loss and other services.
