Unlicensed practitioner took cash at Botox party: private investigators
VANCOUVER A woman not licensed as a medical doctor and who was ordered to stop advertising herself as such has continued to give cosmetic procedures, going so far as to accept cash for injections at a “Botox and filler party,” according to private investigators.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. said Wednesday that it had searched a third property last month in connection with Maria Ezzati, who had been advertising herself as a medical doctor offering cosmetic procedures.
Ezzati, who isn’t a registered or licensed health professional, has been under investigation by the college since 2017 for storing and administering controlled cosmetic medical injectables while not licensed to do so.
In summer 2017, the college became aware of Ezzati’s advertised services and conducted a search of Ezzati’s Downtown Vancouver office where they seized various items. That same month an injunction was granted to the college, ordering Ezzati to stop providing services and to stop advertising herself as a medical doctor in any way, shape or form.
Ezzati was then suspected of continuing to give procedures. On an Instagram account under the name @mariaezzati, a since-deleted post highlights a lip-augmentation procedure using Stylage dermal filler: “Lip augmentation — evened out the right and left sides of this patient’s top lip & enhanced the Cupid’s bow as well as added volume to both lips.”
After becoming aware of the social media posts, the college was again granted an order in October 2017 to search and seize items from Ezzati’s Richmond office. During the search, investigators found framed certificates for training obtained by Ezzati in administering injectables such as Botox and dermal fillers.
In mid-2019, the Supreme Court of B.C. found Ezzati in contempt of the previous injunction for continuing to advertise herself as a medical doctor and offering medical procedures, and for discussing with and advising clients on the risks and benefits of the procedures.
The court didn’t find enough evidence that proved Ezzati continued to administer Botox and dermal fillers during the injunction.
Last month, private investigators with the college learned through social media about plans for a “Botox and filler party” inside a private home. While undercover, investigators allegedly filmed Ezzati accepting cash payments after performing injections on three people.
The evidence prompted a Feb. 20 search of Ezzati’s Vancouver home and vehicle where the college seized a number of items.
The college will appear in court March 27 in connection to their seizures and intends to file a new contempt application against Ezzati.
The possible penalties include fines and jail time.
The college is reminding the public to check that a physician is registered with the college to ensure the individual is licensed and registered, as improper Botox injections could result in infections, permanent disfiguration or, in rare cases, death.