2 charged in illegal cosmetic surgeries

BOSTON (AP) - Two people accused of performing liposuction and other cosmetic procedures at a Massachusetts beauty and day spa have pleaded not guilty to charges of unauthorized practice of medicine.

Prosecutors say 38-year-old Victor Hernandez and 55-year-old Maria Nascimento were arraigned Thursday in Chelsea District Court for allegedly running a makeshift operating room in Revere. Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley alleges the suspects charged between $2,500 to $9,000 for procedures.

A judge set bail for both suspects and ordered them to surrender their passports. Investigators became aware of the operation after receiving a
tip about unsanitary conditions at the facility. Hernandez' attorney and Nascimento's public defender did not return calls for comment left after business hours.

In 2006, officials busted illegal cosmetic surgery operation in Framingham after a 24-year-old woman died following a liposuction procedure in the basement.