London clinic owner faces federal charges over unsafe botox treatments

LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — A Laurel County medical spa and its owner have pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from the use of unauthorized botulinum toxin products bought from foreign suppliers, the Department of Justice announced Friday.

Facial Expressions, a clinic operated by Dr. Paula Gill in London, pleaded guilty to the receipt of misbranded drugs in interstate commerce. Gill also pleaded guilty to providing false information on an official application to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

According to court documents, from August 2019 to August 2023, Facial Expressions imported and used injectable botulinum toxin products that were manufactured and labeled for sale in countries like Korea and Turkey.

The Department of Justice said the injectable drugs, commonly used to treat facial wrinkles, must be purchased from licensed U.S. distributors to comply with federal law.

According to a news release, multiple patients treated at Facial Expressions experienced adverse reactions from the foreign-sourced injections, resulting in medical costs of at least $24,369.

“Patients should be able to trust that the clinics they go to for care are operating by the book,” Acting U.S. Attorney Paul McCaffrey said. “When medical providers breach that trust, we will hold them accountable.”

In a separate offense, Gill admitted to lying on a DEA registration renewal form in 2021 by falsely claiming that her dental license had never been suspended. The department said records showed the Kentucky Board of Dentistry suspended her license in 2010.

“Medical professionals who obtain prescription drugs outside the legitimate supply chain put their unsuspecting patients at significant risk,” said Ronald Dawkins, acting special agent in charge of the FDA’s Metro Washington Field Office. “We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who put profit over patient safety.”

Gill is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 16 and faces up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.