Rhode Island ministry leader pleads guilty to selling unapproved cancer remedies, tax evasion

A man who sold unapproved cancer remedies though a Rhode Island-based Christian ministry has pleaded guilty to federal charges of tax evasion and introducing a new unapproved drug.

James Feijo, owner and operator of Daniel Chapter One, admitted in federal court on Sept. 11 that he used websites and his daily radio show to market and sell cancer treatments that were not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

He also acknowledged improperly treating workers as contract employees and failing to pay employment taxes of more than $200,000.

The 68-year-old Feijo, of Portsmouth, is scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 16.

Under the terms of a plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to dismiss charges against Feijo's wife, Patricia.

Daniel Chapter One was ordered by a federal judge in Washington in March to pay $5 million in a lawsuit brought by the Federal Trade Commission. The judge also permanently barred Feijo and Daniel Chapter One from selling or promoting any dietary supplement or other product that makes claims to treat disease.

Daniel Chapter One has said it would appeal that order.

The couple previously called both the FTC action and the criminal charges a "witch hunt."