Kevin Trudeau
| Kevin Trudeau | |
|---|---|
Trudeau in 2005
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| Born |
Kevin Mark Trudeau February 6, 1963 Lynn, Massachusetts, US |
| Occupation | Author, radio and television personality |
| Known for | Promoting alternative medicine and questionable diet and financial remedies Founding the International Pool Tour |
| Criminal charge |
Fraud, larceny and contempt of court Regulatory settlements with the FTC and eight state Attorneys-General for false claims and misleading representations |
Kevin Mark Trudeau (/truːˈdoʊ/; born February 6, 1963) is an American author, entrepreneur, pool enthusiast, and convicted fraudster whose ubiquitous infomercials promoting unsubstantiated health, diet, and financial remedies earned him a fortune, and eventually, imprisonment.
In the early 1990s, Trudeau was convicted of larceny and credit card fraud. In 1998, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accused him of grossly misrepresenting the contents of his book, The Weight-Loss Cure "They" Don't Want You to Know About. In a 2004 settlement, he agreed to pay a $500,000 fine and cease marketing all products except his books, which are protected under the First Amendment. In 2011, he was fined $37.6 million for violating the 2004 settlement, and ordered to post a $2 million bond before engaging in any future infomercial advertising. In 2013, facing further prosecution for violations of the 2011 agreement and non-payment of the $37-million judgment, Trudeau filed for bankruptcy protection. His claims of insolvency were challenged by FTC lawyers, who maintained that he was hiding money in shell companies, and cited examples of continued lavish spending, such as $359 for a haircut.
In November 2013, Trudeau was convicted of criminal contempt, and is currently serving a 10-year sentence at a Federal Prison Camp in Alabama. Nevertheless, infomercials starring Trudeau and promoting his books—under the auspices of a private California corporation of undisclosed ownership—continue to air regularly on US television stations.
Trudeau grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts, the adopted son of Robert and Mary Trudeau. He attended St. Mary's High School in Lynn, where he was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by the class of 1981.
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