UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, Mary Blakley, 66, and her husband Fred Blakley, 61, have just pleaded guilty to a staggering $2 million healthcare fraud scheme in federal court in Philadelphia. The couple operated fraudulent clinics across multiple states, including Arizona, California, and Colorado, falsely promising patients miraculous medical breakthroughs.
The Blakleys claimed their clinics offered full-body scans using a proprietary “smart chip” that could detect and even cure serious illnesses like cancer. Instead, they administered only basic ultrasounds while pocketing patients’ cash and perpetuating lies about their capabilities. Their guilty pleas, announced on Monday, mark a critical moment in a case that has already revealed disturbing details about the couple’s operations.
According to prosecutors, the Blakleys generated over $2 million in fraudulent billings by offering treatments that included laser blasts for kidney stones and injections of unapproved creams. They misled patients into believing their technology was a closely guarded secret, demanding confidentiality and prescribing ineffective medications, some of which were not approved for human use.
The couple’s deceit was compounded by Mary Blakley’s false claims of medical expertise. She fabricated a background that included a position at MD Anderson Cancer Center and a Ph.D. in nuclear physics from the Karolinska Institute. In court, she merely answered questions from U.S. District Judge Gerald McHugh as the enormity of their fraud settled in.
Amid their fraudulent activities, Fred Blakley was also charged with firearms offenses. He admitted to stockpiling over two dozen guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition, allegedly preparing for a “civil war” against the U.S. government. In a chilling revelation, audio recordings captured him discussing violent intentions with undercover FBI agents, showcasing the couple’s escalating desperation.
The Blakleys’ downfall began years ago when complaints from patients, including their estranged daughter, triggered an investigation. The FBI’s extensive probe led to their indictment earlier this year. They now face the possibility of more than 150 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for April 2025.
This case not only highlights the dangers of medical fraud but also serves as a stark reminder of the lengths some will go to exploit vulnerable patients. Both individuals remain in custody at the federal detention center in Philadelphia as the medical community and the public grapple with the fallout.
As this story continues to develop, it raises critical questions about healthcare regulations and patient safety. Follow for more updates on this urgent case as it unfolds.
