TULSA, Okla. – A Tulsa woman is charged with fraud after allegedly orchestrating a one million dollar cancer treatment scam.
Authorities say 70-year-old Antonella Carpenter is facing 41 counts of fraud.
She entered a not guilty plea on all charges.
“This prosecution demonstrates the commitment of the United States Attorney’s Office to seek justice for those most vulnerable victims of fraud who seek hope and healing after the anguish of a cancer diagnosis,” said U.S. Attorney Danny C. Williams Sr.
Officials say Carpenter allegedly orchestrated a scheme to obtain money from cancer patients by means of false and fraudulent representations.
She claimed she could cure various types of cancer by using lasers to heat cancerous tissue injected with a mixture of saline solution and dye.
She called the treatment “Light Induced Enhanced Selective Hyperthermia.”
She allegedly told patients the treatments were 100 percent effective on any type of tissue and that there were no negative side effects.
According to officials, Carpenter, who is not a doctor, operated her clinic under the name “Lase Med.”
Authorities say counts 1 through 5 of the superseding indictment allege that Carpenter induced persons to travel in interstate commerce in an effort to defraud them of at least $5,000. Counts 6 through 39 allege that Carpenter used interstate wire communications to defraud patients. Counts 40 and 41 allege that Carpenter used the United States mails in furtherance of her fraudulent scheme.
She is facing up to 10 years in prison for counts one through five and up to 20 years in prison on the other counts.
In addition to other penalties, she will also be required to forfeit $1,102,160, representing the proceeds she obtained as a result of the alleged scheme.