Infomercial Huckster Gets 10 Years
Kevin Trudeau was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison for violating a 2004 government settlement over deceptive claims he made in infomercials. Trudeau became an infomercial star in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, promoting everything from magnetic bands to memory enhancement tapes. But the Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint against him, mainly for claiming that a coral calcium supplement cured cancer, and Trudeau was forced into a $2M settlement and a ban from promoting products on TV. But he was able to promote publications, and began selling books about all-natural cures and miracle diets, which John Stossel reported on when he was still at ABC News in 2007.
In 2009, Trudeau began promoting a new book, “Your Wish Is Your Command”, claiming a secret to success using the Law of Attraction. Trudeau claims he was invited to join a secret organization called “The Brotherhood” in 1975 (apparently when he was 12), and learned their secret to success. He also claims to represent the Global Information Network, a secret organization that readers can join to receive constant updates and secrets. Needless to say, the FTC filed a complaint that Trudeau’s deceptive claims violated the 2004 court order, and he was ordered to pay a $37M fine in 2010. Trudeau, however, couldn’t find his wallet, and last fall was arrested for contempt of court, which is where this Nightline report comes in.
On Friday, Trudeau was found guilty, and on Monday was sentenced to 10 years.
Read more at reuters.com.
