Cops: His miracle cure was bogus

ST. PETERSBURG - William E. Perry made some big claims for his miracle drug, police say.

They say he targeted local gay bars and events, touting his cure for HIV. All people needed was $150 for a 30 day supply of Apex, a drinkable cure.

Police say Perry's cure was bogus. He was just giving people a commonly used sterilizing agent for laboratory instruments, police said.

On Tuesday, police arrested Perry, 56, on four counts of unlicensed practice of health care.

The arrests came after a joint investigation between St. Petersburg police and the Florida Department of Health. Police say Perry, a Wesley Chapel man, does not have an medical degree.

The investigation was sparked by a tip from a former patient. Police say it is unclear just how many people Perry conned.

-Abhi Raghunathan, Times Staff Writer