Infomercial pitchman Trudeau gets 30 days for unleashing e-mails that crashed judge’s computer

February 17, 2010

Chicago Tribune

By Mike Robinson

CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge in Chicago who was barraged by e-mails from supporters of best-selling author and infomercial pitchman Kevin Trudeau has sentenced Trudeau to 30 days in jail and fined him $50,000.

Judge Robert Gettleman gave Trudeau 24 hours to appeal the Wednesday sentence. The judge told Trudeau and his attorneys to be back in court Thursday.

Marshals will take Trudeau into custody at that time unless the appeals judges order he remain free.

Gettleman once ruled Trudeau was deceptive in ads for the book “The Weight Loss Cure ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About.”

Trudeau admits urging visitors to his Web site last week to contact Gettleman. He later posted an apology saying they should not attempt to contact the judge or court further.

Click here for the full report

Kevin Trudeau held in criminal contempt, facing jail time

February 11, 2010

Chicago Sun Times

By Natasha Korecki

Kevin Trudeau, the slick, silver-tongued infomercial king and best-selling author amassed a fortune over years of persistent, late-night hawking.

This week, he made the wrong sales pitch.

Trudeau was found in criminal contempt of court Thursday and nearly had handcuffs slapped on him after he asked his supporters to email the federal judge overseeing a pending civil case brought against him by the Federal Trade Commission.

U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman said he was flooded with hundreds of “harassing, threatening and interfering” emails, locking up the judge’s email system and shutting down his Blackberry for part of the day.

“This is direct contempt — that’s how I view it,” Gettleman said. “He interfered with the direct process of the court.”

Gettleman hauled Trudeau into court a day after he posted a message on his Web site with his appeal. Gettleman ordered Trudeau to turn over his passport, pay $50,000 bond and warned he could face future prison time.

Gettleman, on his own authority, can sentence Trudeau to up to six months in prison. In addition, the judge referred the matter and the emails to the U.S. Marshals Service, which investigates threats to judiciary.

“This is the first time we are addressing an email blast or something that’s disrupted the court’s email system,” said Acting U.S. Marshal John O’Malley.

Trudeau, who also hosts his own radio show and has served prison time for credit card fraud, appeared in court tanned and tieless, wearing a black mock turtleneck and navy blue suit coat.

Trudeau, who has a residence in Hinsdale, refused to talk after court, even remaining silent when twice asked his age. He’s 47.

After being called on the carpet by the judge, he sent a follow-up email to his supporters telling them:

“That was a mistake. It was wrong to make that request,” Trudeau said. “Please do not under any circumstances communicate with the court or Judge Gettleman.”

“I don’t have confidence in your client,” Gettleman told Trudeau’s lawyer. “I do insist that, if he is to avoid custody today, he post bond.”

The Federal Trade Commission has labeled Trudeau a fraud and got a court order in 2004 to curtail his business.

Trudeau has sold millions of books, in part with the pitch that the government is trying to keep him from telling dieters the truth with his “The Weight-Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About,” which has become a best-seller.

Gettleman previously has banned Trudeau from making infomercials for three years, fined him more than $5 million, then raised that fine to more than $37 million — the amount the FTC figured Trudeau made on the book via his infomercials. An appeals court said the ruling was too broad and sent it back to the judge. Gettleman was still weighing the matter when he was deluged with emails Wednesday.

Trudeau has pitched miracle health cures, also saying the government wants to keep the public from knowing about natural remedies.

In a recent on-air radio broadcast, Trudeau talks about wanting to land a TV show. If Fox gave him the chance, he said he’d be: “Bigger than O’Reilly. Bigger than Glenn Beck.”

Stephen Barrett, the creator of Quackwatch.org, has for years labeled Trudeau a fraud.

“He struck me as somebody who (believes he) is omnipotent. That is, no one can touch him,” Barrett said. “That’s almost been the case.”

Click here for the full report

Infomercial king Kevin Trudeau avoids jail — for now, at least

February 18, 2010

Chicago Sun Times

By Natasha Korecki

Infomercial and Internet health “cures” pitchman Kevin Trudeau showed up to federal court today tieless, beltless and wearing slip-on shoes.

He was dressed for jail, he said, and prepared ahead of time so he didn’t have to bother turning over his belt or walk around in a federal lockup wearing shoes with no laces.

But about 30 minutes before he was to surrender in response to a federal judge’s order, a higher court granted Trudeau’s emergency appeal.

Last night, Trudeau made a bid to the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals after U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman told him Wednesday that he had to start serving a 30-day criminal contempt of court sentence today. Gettleman found Trudeau to be in direct contempt of court after the best-selling author who has a radio show, had supporters flood Gettleman with e-mails about his pending civil case.

“I’m very happy to be going home tonight,” Trudeau said. “I think once the smoke has cleared I will be vindicated.”

Trudeau has previously done prison time for credit card fraud.

Trudeau’s lawyer, Kimball Anderson, argued that his client’s actions did not amount to a direct contempt of court violation — which usually is an offense that happens right in front of a judge in a courtroom. Finding Trudeau in direct contempt of court means Gettleman on his own can sentence Trudeau with no hearing. Anderson said he will ask the higher court to decide the level of violation.

Since 2003, Gettleman has presided over a civil case filed by the Federal Trade Commission involving deceptive ads for a Trudeau weight-loss book. Gettleman said Trudeau repeatedly deceived the public and flouted the court’s rules, leading to three contempt findings by the judge.

“This was an attempt by Mr. Trudeau to harass, intimidate and influence the court,” Gettleman said.

He said Trudeau posted the judge’s e-mail address online and asked listeners of his radio show and those who visit his Web site to e-mail Gettleman. Gettleman said Trudeau falsely told listeners the judge wanted to burn all of his books and fine him tens of millions of dollars.

Trudeau’s lawyers argued in their appeal that the jail sentence went too far.

“Mr Trudeau still must suffer the ‘dark stain’ of a criminal conviction for what at worst was a foolish mistake,” the lawyers told the higher court.

Click here for the full report.

My Personal Doctor!

Today, I wanted to give you my personal physician’s contact information here in Chicago. If you are not in the Chicago area, I recommend you find a reputable doctor specializing in alternative medicine at NaturalCures.com.

But if you are in the Chicago area, stop in and see my friend, Dr. Drost.

Oaktree Wellness Center
200 E. Willow Ave #204
Wheaton, IL 60187

You can call his assistant, Sandra, directly for more information at 630-871-8100.

Also, the response to my Twitter and Facebook pages have been amazing!  Keep reading, interacting, and forwarding my messages onto others!

Lastly, my staff is creating Kevin’s Wiki…..It will be a Wikipedia-like website specific to The Kevin Trudeau Show. As a member of the Insider Club, you will be able to add or edit content on that page to ensure the truth is out there!

Have a fantastic start to 2010!
KT

Holiday Tips from KT

The holiday season is upon us and they can be the most wonderful time of the year and the most difficult when trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, for yourself and others. So, this holiday, let’s help each other out by giving gifts that will help someone eat healthier, be healthier, and become more aware and active. You’ll feel great just doing it!

Smoothie Blender with Recipes
This gift is especially perfect for someone who doesn’t have time in the morning for breakfast. Other small kitchen appliances could be a crock pot, rice cooker, juicer, or even a pressure cooker; all great for healthy, organic cooking.

Session with a Holistic Nutritionist
Lots of people try to eat healthy, but are unsure of putting a program together for themselves. A nutritionist can help tailor an eating plan to a person’s individual needs, and create a plan the person is more likely to stick to.

Oil and Vinegar
This could really be a luxurious gift if you purchase a beautiful bottle of organic olive oil, and a bottle of high-quality, pure, organic, natural apple cider vinegar with the “mother” in it and remember place both bottles in a box along with a cruet set appropriate for the recipient.

Massage Gift Certificate
The gift of relaxation is wonderful to receive anytime of the year, but perhaps an especially good gift going into a new year.

Pedometer
Make sure it’s a good one, as some don’t count steps accurately, and include a book that offers guidance about walking and using a pedometer.

Relaxation Music CDs
My favorite ones are; “Timeless Motion” by Daniel Kobialka; “Wind Chants” by Robert Higgins (Gregorian chants), or, “Merlin’s Magic” Reiki music. Then add a handcrafted, organic soy candle with custom blends of aromatherapy-grade essential oils and 100% cotton wicks – to soothe stressed-out nerves.

Stocking stuffers
A jump rope; an exercise video; an exercise stretch band or a set of weights; a State Parks Pass or National Parks Passport; or, a share in a local farm produce co-op for next summer.

Remember to support yourself, your friends, family, and co-workers in enjoying this holiday season by encouraging a “less is best attitude” around the holiday gift list. Shorten your own list of to do’s by letting go of excess. Keep it simple.

What better way to honor this holiday season than by slowing down the fast pace of life and taking a few moments to reflect, to listen and to give the gift of gratefulness to your loved ones. Let the gift of gratefulness spread from your own family and friends, to all living beings around the globe.

Have a wonderful, healthy, and happy holiday season!
KT