A Massachusetts spa owner faces federal charges for allegedly injecting clients with counterfeit Botox and other cosmetic fillers. Rebecca Fadanelli, 38, was arrested Friday and charged with multiple counts related to the alleged scheme.
Fadanelli, owner of two spas in Randolph and South Easton, Massachusetts, allegedly imported counterfeit Botox, Sculptra, and Juvederm from China and Brazil since March 2021. Charging documents reveal she administered these fake products in thousands of injections. Between March 2021 and March 2024, Fadanelli allegedly performed over 1,600 Botox injections and over 1,000 filler injections, earning over $900,000.
The spa owner also allegedly misrepresented her credentials, claiming to be a registered nurse when she was only licensed as an aesthetician. While Fadanelli claimed she never personally administered injections, employee testimonies contradict this assertion.
“For years, Ms. Fadanelli allegedly put unsuspecting patients at risk by representing herself to be a nurse and then administering thousands of illegal, counterfeit injections,” stated Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “The type of deception alleged here is illegal, reckless and potentially life-threatening.”
Fadanelli faces charges of illegally importing merchandise, selling counterfeit drugs, and selling counterfeit devices. She appeared in federal court on Friday following her arrest.
Botox is commonly used to treat wrinkles and medical conditions like chronic migraines. While some clients may not have experienced adverse effects, counterfeit Botox poses significant health risks. In April, the FDA issued a warning about unsafe counterfeit Botox circulating in several states. Reported symptoms include blurred or double vision, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, constipation, incontinence, weakness, and even hospitalization.
“Medications purchased from unlicensed sources may be misbranded, adulterated, counterfeit, contaminated, improperly stored and transported, ineffective and/or unsafe,” the FDA cautioned.
Federal prosecutors urge anyone who suspects they received counterfeit injections from Fadanelli or her spas since 2021 to complete a questionnaire on the FDA website: https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/criminal-investigations/oci-vw-assistance.
