WRINKLE ARREST
Swoop in, say salon worker did 'illegal' work

Friday, August 08, 2008
By MICHAELANGELO CONTE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

It's lights out for a Jersey City Heights tanning salon, where city and state investigators arrested a woman they say was doing illegal medical procedures, including administering Botox, officials said.

Neyda Morales was arrested at Sunshine Splash Tan on Central Avenue Wednesday afternoon and charged with performing medical procedures without proper training or license, Jersey City Health Inspector H. James Boor said yesterday.

Boor said about 100 syringes were found in the tanning salon that is owned by Lorena Rodriguez.

Inspectors also found lidocaine, a prescription anesthetic used topically or injected for minor surgery or dental work. The search also turned up a substance that is injected into the abdomen and is supposed to burn fat, as well as other items, Boor said.

The investigation was initiated by the state Attorney General's Office and included sending an undercover agent from the AG's office and an undercover city health inspector to the establishment, Boor said.

The undercover agents said up to $600 was being charged for silicone injections used to eliminate frown lines and wrinkles. Rodriguez said the injections were not offered at the store, but were rather something Morales did "once in a blue moon."

Rodriguez's ex-husband, Edgar Gongora, who works at the salon, said: "The lady (Morales) that worked here is a doctor and everything in her country."

But Boor said he has no evidence that Morales is licensed to do medical procedures anywhere.

Rodriguez said she knew of only three times when Morales gave the facial injections and that what she specialized in was massage.

Jersey City police and the AG's office are still trying to determine where Morales was getting what appears to have been prescription drugs.

Rodriguez has not been charged with anything, but her business will likely remain closed for weeks, Boor said. The salon was cited for mouse infestation and fire code violations as well, and those issues would have to be resolved before it can reopen.