Oklahoma Woman Fails To Prove Money Seized By FDA Was Legitimate

A federal magistrate has said that Maureen Long cannot get back more than $50,000 that was seized by federal investigators.

Long's cancer treatment clinic was shut down by the Food and Drug Administration last April. Investigators said she was using an illegal drug to treat cancer patients.

Long was trying to get that money back, saying it was from her personal account and she needed it to pay bills. But a federal magistrate ruled she never showed the money came from a, "legitimate source," and she shouldn't get it back.

5/6/2013 Related Story: FDA Seized Thousands In Tulsa Cancer Clinic's Bank Account

Camelot Cancer Care Clinic was shut down by the Food and Drug Administration on April 23 of 2013. Investigators said the clinic's owner, Maureen Long, was using a drug that's banned in the United States because it can cause cyanide poisoning.

Court records also claim Long was involved in money laundering and wire fraud.

One of her former patients is Wichita, Kansas resident Margaret Hilger. She spent nearly $17,000 with Camelot to treat non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

"It definitely was a scam because I not only didn't get help, it actually grew in me. I had more of the cancer after I had a CAT scan done back in Wichita," Hilger said.

The government seized over $50,000 from Maureen Long's personal bank account; Long had petitioned the court to get that money back.

She has two homes listed under her name, one near 65th and Sheridan and one near 107th and Sheridan.

Long told the court she needs the money to pay her mortgage, utility bill, as well as for food and transportation.

A federal magistrate denied the request saying, Long didn't offer any evidence the money was not the proceeds from illegal treatments or involved in money laundering.

The magistrate said she didn't even attempt to show the money came from a legitimate source.

Hilger said she's doing better and very near remission. She agreed with the magistrate's decision and said that money should go to former patients.

She also would like to see Maureen Long apologize.

"It's just sad that she can't wake up and realize what she's doing, and I pray for that day, someday she'll do that," Hilger said.

The attorney for Maureen Long declined to let her be interviewed for this story. He also declined to comment on the case except to say they will be appealing the ruling and continue to fight to have the money returned to Long.

No charges have been filed against Long.