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Imperial Valley Doctor Admits to Using Unapproved Cosmetic Drugs
A doctor from Imperial Valley has pleaded guilty to crimes related to his use of foreign, unapproved, and misbranded cosmetic drugs. Tien Tan Vo, a 47-year-old doctor from El Centro, California, admitted to using unapproved injectable botulinum toxin and lip fillers at his clinics between November 2016 and October 2020.
Vo pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of receipt of misbranded drugs in interstate commerce and being an accessory after the fact to an accomplice, who smuggled the unapproved drugs into the United States from Mexico.
According to his plea agreement, Vo admitted that none of the injectable botulinum toxin or lip fillers used by his clinics were approved for use in the United States. This specifically included a botulinum toxin product called “Xeomeen” and an injectable lip filler called Probcel—both products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Vo acknowledged that he received $100,767 in gross receipts for almost four years of cosmetic services performed with unapproved drugs and devices. As part of his plea agreement, he has agreed to forfeit that amount, and to pay a fine of $201,534. Vo also agreed to pay restitution to victims of his offense.
Tien Tan Vo is set to be sentenced on November 16, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison H. Goddard.
Potential victims related to this case may provide or request information by emailing USACAS.Cosmetic.Case@usdoj.gov.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California stated that they will continue to protect patients from unapproved and potentially unsafe drugs and will always seek to thwart those who would exploit patients for financial gain.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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