Framingham-Related Erectile Dysfunction Treatment Fraudsters Face Stiff $17 Million Penalty

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The Suffolk Superior Court ruled Monday that two Florida companies must pay $17 million in fines and restitution for deceptively marketing and administering treatments for erectile dysfunction and operating an unlicensed medical clinic in Framingham.

More than 4,000 patients went clinic looking for help. What they got, according to the complaint, was wildly misrepresented by the "clinic's" advertisements.

The most striking thing left out of the ads? Their treatment required a direct injection into the penis. With a needle.

That's probably something you should know before you make an appointment.

But even more frightening is the claim that these injections were performed by people without the license to do so and without a qualified physician supervising.

The complaint also holds that the clinic deceptively suggested their treatments were superior to alternatives on the market, and downplayed the effects of the other treatments. It goes on to say that the clinic used high-pressure sales-tactics, falsely claimed the medications were not legally returnable, and said that the procedure was "new" and "painless," with few side effects.

“Patients entrust medical providers with their health and well-being, and all patients deserve access to honest and proper care,” said Attorney General Maura Healey in a statement. “Medical providers cannot mislead Massachusetts consumers about their services and medications. Our office will continue to pursue those who prey on vulnerable patients who are simply seeking medical care.”

The clinic went under the names Massachusetts Men's Medical Clinic, Massachusetts Mens Medical, and Men's Medical Clinic. The companies that owned the clinic, Florida's Men's Medical Clinic, LLC, and Men's Medical Clinic, LLC, under Dr. Kevin Hornsby and Heidi Hornsby, are permanently prohibited from operating the clinics.

Per the court's ruling, $6.3 million will be paid to the clinic's patients, and the rest is payment to the state. Since they companies are no longer in operation, it's unclear whether or not they actually have the funds to pay.

The Attorney General is also pursuing a case against Keith and Heidi Hornsby.

Here's hoping she doesn't go soft on them.

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