RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - An 81-year-old Rapid City man accused of defrauding consumers of nearly $17 million has pleaded not guilty.
Robert “Larry” Lytle, purveyor of the QLaser, is accused of defrauding consumers through the sale of an allegedly bogus medical device and of secretly continuing to sell the device after he was ordered to stop, the Rapid City Journal (https://bit.ly/2kqsVQb ) reported.
He pleaded not guilty on Monday to the numerous charges he faces, including conspiracy, criminal contempt and fraud.
An indictment alleges that Lytle had sold QLasers to mostly older customers for $4,000 to $13,000 since at least 2002. The indictment alleges that Lytle falsely claimed the devices could treat more than 200 conditions, including cancer, HIV and AIDS, heart attacks, paralysis and diabetes.
Investigators said Lytle had been given numerous warnings since 2002 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that selling QLasers without FDA approval was illegal.
Prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of revenue and property gained from the alleged scheme.
Fredretta Eason, 76, an alleged associate of Lytle, also pleaded not guilty on Monday to charges of criminal contempt and aiding and abetting. Eason lived with Lytle while she partnered with him in his business activities, according to investigators.
Another alleged associate has also been arrested and charged in New York.
Lytle was released from custody on numerous conditions, including wearing an electronic monitoring device. He didn’t immediately respond to the newspaper for comment.
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Information from: Rapid City Journal, https://www.rapidcityjournal.com
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