FDA Seized Thousands In Tulsa Cancer Clinic's Bank Account

The owner of a south Tulsa cancer clinic shut down by the FDA was back at her clinic Monday, but she said she hasn't performed treatment on patients since the FDA and FBI raided her practice.

Monday, May 6th 2013, 10:36 pm

By: News On 6

FDA Seized Thousands In Tulsa Cancer Clinic's Bank Account

The owner of a south Tulsa cancer clinic, shut down by the Food and Drug Administration, was back at her clinic Monday, but she said she hasn't performed treatment on patients since the FDA and FBI raided her practice on April 23, 2013.

Maureen Long said she came Camelot Cancer Care Monday afternoon to help a patient, but not to treat her.

We wanted to ask her about money laundering and wire fraud allegations. Long walked out of Camelot Cancer Care and away from our camera, but off-camera, she told us she has not and will not treat any cancer patients until she's legally allowed to do so.

Long said she was changing dressings for a patient by doctor's order. The patient she was helping is Sam Bass's wife.

Bass said he is desperate for the clinic to re-open. He said his wife was truly improving with the treatment at Camelot, and she's gone downhill since it was forced to close.

Long said she wishes she could refund the money some patients have pre-paid for treatments, but the money has been seized.

The FDA executed a search warrant at Regent Bank, in Nowata, for Long's accounts on April 23, the same day as the clinic raid.

Read The Entire FDA Affidavit In Support Of The Seizure Warrant

Investigators believe the accounts were used for money laundering, wire fraud and smuggling. The search warrant states that Camelot was illegally importing the substance Laetrile, which is banned in the U.S., and therefore proceeds for the treatment are illegal.

The warrant says, "at least $1 million of illegal scheme proceeds were deposited into the accounts." It references several deposits of $13,000, which the investigator explains is the cost of treatment.

Long said when the FDA seized the money, she was unable to meet payroll. She said she feels deeply for the patients, like Bass's wife, who are in limbo while the investigation continues. But she said she completely denies the money laundering, wire fraud and smuggling claims.

Long said she has an ethical and moral duty to help her patients, and that's why she was at her clinic Monday.