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On February 19, 2021, U.S. District Judge Sam A. Lindsay sentenced Sitesh Patel, a former Vice President at S.K. Laboratories of Irvine, California, to 41 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for his involvement in a scheme to fraudulently sell popular dietary supplements. The sentence was announced by the Department of Justice today.
Judge Lindsay ordered that Patel's former company, S.K. Laboratories, forfeit $6 million related to this case. Earlier, Patel and several co-defants, who were part of USPlabs which operates from Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty in 2019 to conspiring to introduce misbranded food into interstate commerce by importing substances with false labeling.
According to court documents, the defants played a crucial role in producing popular workout supplements and weight loss products under the names Jack3d and OxyElite Pro. It is alleged that they introduced substances with misleading labels to evade regulatory scrutiny from law enforcement agencies and oversight bodies.
Patel also pleaded guilty to introducing misbranded food into interstate commerce specifically regarding OxyElite Pro, which was recalled in 2013 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA due to concerns over liver injuries among consumers using it.
The government's commitment is clear when it comes to holding those accountable who deceive consumers about dietary supplement safety, sd Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division. This case serves as a testament that we will not tolerate actions that compromise public health.
Dr. Judy McMeekin, Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affrs at FDA echoed this sentiment, stating that Dietary supplement manufacturers must adhere to safety standards and not mislead consumers about their products. She continued, emphasizing the agency's dedication in working with law enforcement partners to ensure adherence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah of the Northern District of Texas commented on Patel’s sentence: This defant was aware that they were deceiving people by concealing ingredients in a health product that could cause harm.
The court previously sentenced Jacobo Geissler, CEO of USPlabs, and Jonathan Doyle, president of the company, to prison tertaling 60 months and 24 months respectively. Similarly, Cyril Willson 40, former consultant for USPlabs, and Matthew Hebert 42, a co-owner, received sentences of 18 months and 15 months imprisonment respectively.
In addition to these criminal sanctions agnst Patel and his co-defants, USPlabs was ordered to pay $6 million in fines. The Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts can be found on their website: http:www.justice.govcivilconsumer-protection-branch. For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas, please visit https:www.justice.govusao-ndtx.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and regulatory agencies to protect public health through vigorous prosecution of those who engage in fraudulent practices related to dietary supplements.
Civil Division USAO - Texas, Northern
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Dietary Supplements Fraudulent Sales Sentence US District Judge Sam A. Lindsay Judgment S.K. Laboratories $6 Million Forfeiture Popular Workout Supplement Misbranding Conviction Jack3d and OxyElite Pro Regulatory Concerns Public Health Safety Standards Violation