ALBANY, N.Y. -- Five doctors, a nurse and an administrator from The Plastic Surgery Group in Albany pleaded guilty in federal court to charges that they gave unsuspecting patients a cheaper Botox substitute not approved by the FDA.

U.S. prosecutors said from February through December 2004, 150 patients were injected with Botulinum Toxin Topic A, which was misbranded under the name Botox Cosmetic. The fake drug was distributed by Toxin Research International, Inc., which was shut down by the FDA in 2004.

The Plastic Surgery Group of Albany faces a fine of up to $500,000 and will be ordered to pay back the patients who paid for Botox treatment but didn't get it. The individuals involved also face a year in prison and a $100,000 fine each.

They are:

• Dr. William DeLuca of Latham


• Dr. Steven Lynch of Slingerlands


• Dr. Douglas Hargrave of Delmar


• Dr. John Noonan of Slingerlands


• Dr. Jeffrey Rockmore of Delmar


• Practice Administrator Peter Slattery of West Sand Lake


• Supervisory Nurse Susan Knott of Latham

Sentencing is in December.