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Doctor Convicted For Defrauding Patients With Bogus Cancer Cure

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A doctor has been convicted of defrauding patients by promising some of them she could cure their cancer through an herbal supplement.

Dr. Christine Daniel, 57, was found guilty of 11 counts, including wire fraud, tax evasion and witness tampering.

Federal prosecutors said Daniel used her position, both as a doctor and a Pentecostal minister, to entice people from across the nation to take her herbal product.

Authorities said she marketed and sold the bogus treatment that she and her employees claimed could cure many diseases and conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, diabetes and hepatitis.

Daniel promoted the product under a variety of names -- including "C-Extract," "the natural treatment" and "the herbal treatment" -- through a program televised on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, according to court papers.

Federal prosecutors presented evidence that Daniel's "treatment" did not cure anyone of cancer.

Chemical analysis determined that the product contained sunscreen preservative and beef extract flavoring, among other ingredients, none of which could have had any effect on cancer or other diseases, according to expert testimony.

Some of her patients, relying on her product, died later of complications of cancer.

Daniel faces up to 150 years in prison and $5.5 million in fines when she's sentenced on Dec. 5.

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