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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Idaho Naturopath To Stand Trial

Associated Press

An Aberdeen naturopath has pleaded innocent and will stand trial next month on 45 counts of mail fraud and federal drug violations.

Harold Klassen was released on his own recognizance after Thursday’s arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Larry Boyle. Pending the Dec. 13 trial, Boyle also authorized Klassen to spend the Thanksgiving holiday in Canada.

Klassen, who has run BioMechanics Clinic Inc. in Aberdeen for 18 years, was indicated last month for improperly billing insurance companies for a blood test that is not approved for use in the United States and for illegally distributing Valium in improperly labeled containers.

Attorneys for both sides indicated the trial could last a month.

If convicted, Klassen faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and $1 million in fines for mail fraud; life in prison and $4 million in fines for drug distribution and three years in prison and $10,000 in fines for improper labeling of a controlled substance.