Las Vegas doctor, wife sentenced to prison for Botox fraud

Monday, March 30, 2009 | 12:19 p.m.

Las Vegas physician, wife convicted of fraud in Botox case (11-19-08)

A Las Vegas physician and his wife have been ordered to serve federal prison sentences following their convictions for fraud after they treated patients with fake Botox.

Stephen Lee Seldon, 54, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and three years of supervised release, said Greg Brower, U.S. Attorney for Nevada.

His wife, Deborah Martinez Seldon, 41, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and three years of supervised release, Brower said. They also were ordered to pay a $144,000 fine.

The sentences were handed down Friday by U.S. District Judge Kent J. Dawson.

The Seldons were convicted by a jury on Nov. 19 of 14 counts of mail fraud and one count of adulterating a drug while held for sale.

Following his conviction, the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners suspended Dr. Seldon's license to practice medicine on Dec. 1, pending a formal hearing.

From about Oct. 15, 2003, to Sept. 16, 2005, the Seldons offered and advertised Botox injections at "A New You." Botox, used for the treatment of forehead wrinkles and excessive perspiration, is the brand name of a drug derived from Botulinum neurotoxin Type A, a highly potent toxin.

When present in sufficient amounts in humans, this toxin can cause botulism. The toxin is classified as both a drug and a biological product under federal law, and no form may be distributed for use on humans unless it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Allergan, Inc., is the only FDA approved manufacturer of Botox. All doctors treating patients with Botulinum neurotoxin Type A are requried to use Allergan's Botox products.

The Seldons placed ads in local magazines offering Botox at low prices, and represented to their patients that Stephen Seldon was certified and specially training by Allergan for Botox injections. The Seldons also had patients sign consent forms before receiving cosmetic procedures. The forms fraudulently stated that the Seldons intended to use Botox on patients, when in fact, Stephen Seldon knew he was going to inject his patients with cheaper Botox alternatives.

The Seldons used a product marketed and sold by Toxin Research International, Inc., of Tucson, Ariz. That product, Tritox, was sold in vials labeled, "For research purposes only, not for human use." TRI charged customers much less for Tritox than Allergan charged for Botox.

In late November 2004, four people in Florida contracted botulism after receiving research grade Botulinum Toxin at a medical clinic in Florida, which was later linked to TRI.

After search warrants were served at TRI's Tucson business, the Seldons concealed their fraudulent use of Tritox by falsifying their clinic's computerized scheduling records and by making false statements to their patients.

Stephen and Deborah Seldon were ordered to self-report to federal prison by June 26.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By lastword

3/30/09 at 9:41 p.m.

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Talk about a couple of knuckleheads, they could have made a fortune if they used the genuine botox, instead they got greedy and got caught.

Dr. Seldon should never be allowed to practice medicine again anywhere in the United States.
By Scar00

3/31/09 at 9:22 a.m.

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I'm glad they are both getting prison time but I feel sorry for their kids that now have to suffer from their parents greed and stupidity. I was a patient and wish I would have done more research on Dr. Seldon. He comes off as charming and personable. I too went to him for what I thought was Botox, Restylin and had LipoSuction done on my Stomach hips and legs and now have huge dents and scars everywhere. Looking back, I didn't really need Lipo and I regret ever going to him!!!
By vegastelecaster

4/2/09 at 1:39 p.m.

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Yep, my wife was a patient (and she thought she was a friend). Patient, friend - didn't matter much to Steve and Debbie. They only cared about the dollars and not the health of the patients. Maybe the general store at the prison will have some good stuff for them to spend the cash on - like soap on a rope.
By justmythoughts

6/18/09 at 1:23 p.m.

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This whole situation is so very sad! I have known Steve for 15 years and he changed once he married Debbie. Prior to Debbie, he was a kind and caring physician - not money hungary. Personally, he was a extremely down to earth guy who loved everybody and everybody loved him - he was a lot of fun. Believe me he was warned about her and the direction his life and career was going at her insistence, but he is a big boy and chose to follow her....and its terribly sad where it took him and unsuspecting trusting patients. Believe me when I tell you...all his troubles started with Deborah Martinez Seldon! Sorry for all the people that were hurt - I am not trying to take up for what he did and I am glad they are being punished - and he had his medical license revoked....I just wanted people to know that he wasn't a scam before he met Debbie.