⏱ 2 min read
Bryce Cleveland, the 42-year-old CEO of Scalpa, Inc., has pleaded guilty to faking medical devices and drugs, including skincare products, in a scheme that put public health at risk in Virginia. Between 2018 and 2020, Cleveland sold unapproved devices like ScalpaJECT Hyaluronic Acid and Hyaluron Pen, as well as the unapproved drug Scalpatox, a botulinum toxin product. Cleveland was caught in Colombia late last year and arrested on a federal warrant.
Cleveland’s scheme involved making false representations that his devices were not subject to FDA regulation, which allowed him to market and deliver them to consumers without approval. The FDA has warned about the dangers of unapproved and misbranded botulinum toxin products, which can pose serious health risks to users.
The case highlights the risks of using unapproved medical devices and drugs, which can bypass the body’s defenses and lead to serious harm. Cleveland’s guilty plea is a victory for public health and safety, and a reminder of the importance of FDA regulation in protecting consumers.
Cleveland pleaded guilty to three charges, including mail fraud, introduction of an adulterated device into interstate commerce, and introduction of an unapproved new drug into interstate commerce. His sentence has not been announced, but he faces federal charges for his role in the scheme.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: White Collar Crime
- Defendant: Mail Fraud
- Location: VA
- Source: DOJ Press Release
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