Orlando physician pleads guilty to using illegal silicone in cosmetic surgeries
A doctor in Orlando has pleaded guilty to federal charges over using illegal materials for cosmetic procedures.
The Justice Department says Nhan Pham,54, pleaded guilty to receipt in interstate commerce and proffered delivery of an adulterated device. This violates the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
A sentencing hearing is set for Aug. 14. Pham faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison.
Pham is a physician who performed various cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical procedures. According to the plea agreement, between 2015 and 2019, he ordered silicone oil online and injected that silicone into his patients for gluteal and buttock enhancement procedures at his office and home.
The Justice Department states that the 'U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of injectable silicone for body contouring or enhancement and has issued warnings to the public advising them of the illegality of and health risks associated with silicone injections.'
Prosecutors say Pham inaccurately represented the substance he was injecting into patient's bodies was 'safe,' 'natural' and would dissolve over time.
After receiving the silicone oil injections, prosecutors say patients experienced complications that included sharp and severe pain, discomfort, discoloration, itchiness, burning, inflammation, soreness and hardness in the injection areas.
On Sept. 24, 2019, Pham offered to perform silicone oil injections on an undercover law enforcement agent.
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Milwaukee County Judge Dugan case, prosecutors urge court not to dismiss
The Brief The Trump administration is opposing the dismissal of charges against Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. Dugan is accused of helping a man evade immigration agents in her courthouse. DOJ attorneys argue dropping the charges would set a dangerous precedent, implying judges are above the law. MILWAUKEE - A federal motion has been filed in response to Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan's request to dismiss the case against her. And after reading through the 25-page motion, federal prosecutors say Dugan is not above the law. The indictment against Dugan alleges she helped an undocumented man who was wanted on a federal warrant avoid arrest by I.C.E. agents. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Click to open this PDF in a new window. In Dugan's motion for dismissal, she asked the court to dismiss the indictment based on judicial immunity. But today (June 9), federal prosecutors came back saying her request was unprecedented and quote "would, in essence, say that judges are above the law." Dugan faces a July 21 trial in the case that escalated a clash between Trump's administration and opponents over the Republican president's sweeping immigration crackdown. Trump critics contend that Dugan's arrest went too far and that the administration is trying to make an example out of her to discourage judicial opposition to the crackdown. The backstory Dugan is charged with concealing an individual to prevent arrest, a misdemeanor, and obstruction, which is a felony. Prosecutors say she escorted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 31, and his lawyer out of her courtroom through a back door on April 18 after learning that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the courthouse seeking to arrest him for being in the country illegally. She could face up to six years in prison and a $350,000 fine if convicted on both counts. Her attorneys say she's innocent. They filed a motion last month to dismiss the case, saying she was acting in her official capacity as a judge and therefore is immune to prosecution. They also maintain that the federal government violated Wisconsin's sovereignty by disrupting a state courtroom and prosecuting a state judge. The other side Justice Department attorneys responded in a court filing Monday, saying dismissing the charges against the judge on the grounds that she is immune would be unprecedented and would ignore "well-established law that has long permitted judges to be prosecuted for crimes they commit." "Such a ruling would give state court judges carte blanche to interfere with valid law enforcement actions by federal agents in public hallways of a courthouse, and perhaps even beyond," Justice Department attorneys argued. "Dugan's desired ruling would, in essence, say that judges are 'above the law,' and uniquely entitled to interfere with federal law enforcement." Dugan's attorney, Craig Mastantuono, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. In her motion to dismiss, Dugan argued that her conduct amounted to directing people's movement in and around her courtroom, and that she enjoys legal immunity for official acts she performs as a judge. She also accused the federal government of violating Wisconsin's sovereignty by disrupting a state courtroom and prosecuting a state judge. Dugan's case is similar to one brought during the first Trump administration against a Massachusetts judge, who was accused of helping a man sneak out a courthouse back door to evade a waiting immigration enforcement agent. That case was eventually dismissed. The backstory According to prosecutors, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz illegally reentered the U.S. after being deported in 2013. He was charged in March with misdemeanor domestic violence in Milwaukee County and was in Dugan's courtroom for a hearing in that case on April 18. Dugan's clerk alerted her that immigration agents were in the courthouse looking to arrest Flores-Ruiz, prosecutors allege in court documents. According to an affidavit, Dugan became visibly angry at the agents' arrival and called the situation "absurd." After discussing the warrant for Flores-Ruiz's arrest with the agents, Dugan demanded that they speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom. She then returned to the courtroom, was heard saying something to the effect of "wait, come with me," and then showed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a back door, the affidavit says. The immigration agents eventually detained Flores-Ruiz outside the building following a foot chase. Dugan, 66, was arrested by the FBI on April 25 at the courthouse. A grand jury indicted Dugan on May 13 and she pleaded not guilty on May 15. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android What we know A legal defense fund created by Dugan supporters to help pay for her high-profile defense attorneys has raised more than $137,000 in three weeks from more than 2,800 donors. Her legal team includes former U.S. Attorney Steve Biskupic and former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement. Both were appointed by Republican presidents. She has also hired prominent attorneys in Milwaukee and Madison. "This is an impressive show of support for the defense fund, highlighting that the public believes in protecting a fair and independent judiciary," former Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske, the fund's trustee, said Monday. "The fund will continue to raise grassroots donations and uphold strict guidelines to ensure transparency and accountability." Dugan is not required to list the donor names until she submits her annual financial disclosure form, which is due in April. Numerous people are prohibited from donating, including Milwaukee County residents; attorneys who practice in the county; lobbyists; judges; parties with pending matters before any Milwaukee County judge; and county employees. The Source FOX6 has done significant reporting on the arrest and charges filed against Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan. FOX6 produced this story with information from the federal motion, with contributions from the Associated Press.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
20 million eggs recalled from Walmart, Safeway other stores in WA, other states
A salmonella outbreak has caused the recall of 1.7 million dozen eggs and has sickened 79 people in seven states. Four people in Washington have been reported sick, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to track the outbreak. There have been no deaths. The recall was issued June 6 for 20 million eggs distributed to Walmart, Safeway, chains owned by Kroger and various other independent and chain supermarkets around the country. The Centers for Disease Control is recommending that people throw the eggs away. Hilmar, California's August Egg Co., a division of Gemperle Enterprises, produced the eggs and issued the recall last week. 'August Egg Company is not selling fresh shell eggs at this time,' the company-written, FDA-posted recall notice said. 'Our firm has voluntarily been diverting eggs to an egg-breaking plant for over 30 days, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any potential foodborne pathogens.' Packaging for the recalled eggs will have plant code P-6562 or CA5330 with the Julian Dates between 32 to 126. The eggs that went to Walmart stores had sell-by dates from March 4 through June 19. Other retailers got eggs with 'sell by dates' from March 4 through June 4. The recall section of Walmart's website say the egg recall involves its stores in two dozen states, including Washington. The FDA's recall list includes California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana and Illinois. Here are specific brands to look for: ▪ Marketside (a Walmart store brand): Organic Large Cage Free Brown Eggs in cartons of 12 and 18; Large Cage Free Brown Eggs in cartons of 12 and 18. ▪ First Street (a Smart & Final house brand): Cage Free Large Brown loose eggs. ▪ Clover: Organic Large Brown Eggs, one dozen. ▪ Nulaid: One dozen Medium Brown Cage Free, one dozen Jumbo Brown Cage Free. ▪ O Organics: Cage Free Large Brown, six eggs; and Large Brown, 12 and 18 eggs. This brand will be found at Safeway and other Albertson's-owned stores. ▪ Raley's (store brand): Large Cage Free Brown, 12 eggs: Organic Large Cage Free Brown, 12 and 18 eggs. ▪ Simple Truth: Cage Free Large Brown and Medium Brown 18 eggs. This brand will be found at Food 4 Less, Ralphs and other Kroger-owned chains. ▪ Sun Harvest: Organic Large Cage Free Brown Eggs in cartons of 12 and 18. ▪ Sunnyside: Organic Large Cage Free Brown Eggs in cartons of 12 and 18; and Large Cage Free Brown Eggs in cartons of 12 and 18. An outbreak update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 79 people have been sickened in this outbreak with 21 hospitalizations. Most of those have been in California, with four in Washington. The remaining 10 break down as Nevada (four); Arizona (three); Nebraska and New Jersey (two each); and Kentucky (one). Salmonella outbreaks tend to be under-counted because most people recover without medical attention. The CDC estimates about 1.35 million people in the United States will get salmonella each year. Of that number, 26,400 will be hospitalized, usually driven to the hospital by bloody diarrhea, and 420 will die. Usually, salmonella means a few days of diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomachaches. The Mayo Clinic notes that salmonella symptoms include: Nausea and/or vomiting Abdominal cramps Diarrhea and/or blood in the stool Fever Chills Headache If you have any of the recalled eggs listed above, return them to the store for a refund or throw them deep into the garbage. If you have any questions about the recalls, call August Farms at 800-710-2554, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, Pacific time.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘We can't hide kids:' Sumter County superintendent promises change after student records scandal
Sumter County Schools Superintendent Logan Brown greeted reporters at the door first thing Monday morning and made no secret of his reasoning to call a rare press conference at the small district: a need to show change was coming as he focused on rebuilding trust. 'We can't hide kids,' he said. 'We have to educate them to the highest standard, and that's exactly what we're going to do going forward.' Less than a year into his tenure, Brown accepted responsibility and blame for a scheme made public by a 53-page report released by the Florida Department of Education last week that said for six years, the district falsified student records in order to boost its ratings and funding. The plan centered around a program named SOAR. According to the report, the district moved approximately 200 low-performing students out of classrooms in their zoned school and into virtual classes. The investigation found that in some cases, the district never notified parents. Brown said several staff had been terminated and the administrators involved had left before he took over. He said the district would not have to give any money back. 'This is something that happened in the past, and we want to go forward and focus on the great things that we're doing,' he said. 'The only thing that I can commit to you as the leader of the school district now is that this will never happen again.' Online and in-person Monday, residents celebrated the notes of transparency the district was sounding. Mistrust has run deep in some corners of the county, and the response suggested Brown was moving the district in the right direction. Ironically, three of the four schools involved increased their ratings after SOAR ended and students returned to their normal classrooms. Two of the schools are now A-rated. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
