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A Layton chiropractor is facing criminal charges after allegedly claiming his senior citizen patients could lose weight without excessive exercise or strenuous diet.
Michael Paul Kunzler, 46, faces 11 felonies, including exploitation of a vulnerable adult, forgery and communications fraud. The charges were filed last month in 2nd District Court.
Kunzler allegedly used deceptive advertising and claimed patients could lose weight thanks to a red light in a room at his office. He also had patients pay upfront for diet plans before disclosing what the plan entailed, then refused refunds when patients couldn't participate, according to the charges.
"Based on the facts of the investigation, it is disturbing that Michael Kunzler used his position as a medical professional to defraud vulnerable seniors adults," said Mark Steinagel, director of the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), in a statement released Thursday.
Kunzler's attorney, Mark Moffat, said Thursday that the allegations are without merit, and that he intends to "vigorously defend [him]" against both the criminal and professional charges.
"We think that when this case is fully vetted, it will demonstrate that Dr. Kunzler did nothing illegal," Moffat said.
Investigators, however, say they found that Kunzler allegedly marketed "extreme weight loss programs" through deceptive advertising from July 2, 2013 to Jan. 13 of this year. Kunzler gave his patients a diet of 400 or 500 calories a day and told them that "no exercise was required," DOPL noted in a statement.
Several senior citizens paid Kunzler between $3,500 and $10,000 to enter the program. But when they complained and asked for their money back, Kunzler refused, the statement adds.
In a November 2013 case, Kunzler and/or his assistant refused to tell two patients what the diet entailed until they signed an agreement that they would pay in full, with no refunds, regardless of whether they participated or not, according to charges. But after they signed the agreement, Kunzler allegedly gave them the same 400 calorie-a-day diet, despite their different health issues that prevented them from actually following the diet, the charges add.
Last November, an undercover DOPL agent met Kunzler at his office for a consultation. During their meeting, Kunzler showed the agent a room with a red light in it, which Kunzler allegedly claimed would help the agent lose 2 to 22 inches in one session, according to the charges.
Investigators found Kunzler also faked certificates about his international training, and did not address many of his weight loss patients' chronic illnesses or physical handicaps in their diagnosis.
DOPL is petitioning to revoke Kunzler's license. He has until next month to respond.
DOPL also wants to hear from anyone who had similar experiences with Kunzler. People can file a complaint at dopl.utah.gov/investigations/complaint.html, or contact DOPL at 801-530-6630.
Kunzler's license was issued in 1999, according to DOPL.
His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday in Farmington.
Twitter: @MikeyPanda