Former MO legislator sentenced to 6 years in federal prison for fake stem cell scheme, other fraud charges

A former Missouri state Representative is going to federal prison for a fake stem cell scheme and other federal fraud charges. 

Former State Representative Tricia Derges has been sentenced to six years and three months in federal prison without parole. 

She has also been ordered to pay $500,000 in restitution to her victims.

Tuesday’s sentencing is in connection to a nearly $900,000 COVID-19 fraud scheme, as well as a separate $200,000 fraud scheme in which she made false claims about a fake stem cell treatment marketed through her clinics in southern Missouri. 

Prosecutors say she also illegally provided prescription drugs to clients and lied to FBI agents.

The investigation began after she gave false or misleading statements in April 2020 to Springfield television station KYTV about potentially using stem cells to treat COVID-19.