SPOKANE, Wash – A prominent Spokane dermatologist indicted last week on 23 federal charges pleaded not guilty Tuesday and won’t be held in jail.
A federal grand jury indicted Dr. William Philip Werschler along with his businesses: Spokane Dermatology Clinic, Premier Clinical Research and 3rd and Sherman Plaza LLC.
Federal prosecutors say he fraudulently obtained and used $1.5 million dollars in COVID-19 relief funds and used it to purchase luxury sports cars, buy real estate and pay off personal debt.
Werschler pleaded not guilty Tuesday. His attorneys previously told 4 News Now that their client denies any wrongdoing.
The feds did not ask for Werschler to be detained pending his trial. The government also said it’s not opposed to Werschler traveling internationally for lectures he’s already scheduled to give, but he would be subject to a property bond before each travel date.
While awaiting trial, Werscheler has to follow a set of conditions imposed by the court, including having no contact with potential victims or witnesses in the case.
He also can’t liquidate any property with a value of more than $10,000 without prior approval.
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