A New York City med spa owner admitted to giving a client botulism toxin using bootleg Botox products. Klara Shuster admitted to illegally bringing into and dispensing mislabeled Botox products.
Shuster subsequently pleaded guilty in a federal court to conspiracy to commit smuggling. The smuggling scheme operated over a period spanning from February 2020 until October 2025.
During her testimony, Shuster stated, "I imported mislabeled Botox illegally to this country." She further admitted, "And then I dispensed it to clients mislabeled, and I knew it was against the law."
Joseph Rosenberg stated that Shuster operated Klara Beauty Lab medical spa on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, where she was an esthetician. Rosenberg detailed that while Shuster advertised and provided many services, she often administered products containing the active ingredient of Botox, which is botulism toxin, but which were not actual Botox.
The person Shuster administered the substance to in Manhattan required hospitalisation for botulism. Shuster's attorney, Todd Spodek, confirmed that his client accepted responsibility for her actions.
Shuster stated, "I plead guilty because I am guilty." The New York state regulations prohibit estheticians from prescribing or administering Botox.
A court filing dated 2 October noted that Shuster had planned travel to Florida during November.
