Weight-loss fraudster apologetic as he goes to jail

CHICAGO - Bestselling author Kevin Trudeau, whose name became synonymous with late-night TV pitches, was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday for bilking consumers through ubiquitous infomercials for his book, "The Weight Loss Cure 'They' Don't Want You to Know About."

As he imposed the sentence prosecutors had requested, U.S. District Judge Ronald Guzman portrayed the 50-year-old Trudeau as a habitual fraudster going back to his early adulthood. So brazen was Trudeau, the judge said, he once even used his own mother's Social Security number in a scheme.

"Since his 20s, he has steadfastly attempted to cheat others for his own gain," Guzman said, adding that Trudeau is "deceitful to the very core."

Trudeau, whose trademark dyed black hair turned partially grey as he awaited sentencing in jail, showed little emotion as the stiff sentence was handed down at the hearing in Chicago.

Addressing the judge earlier in a 10-minute statement, Trudeau apologized and said he's become a changed man. He said he's meditated, prayed and read self-help books while locked up at Chicago's Metropolitan Correctional Center.

"I have truly had a significant reawakening," said Trudeau, who was dressed in orange jail clothes. "If I ever do an infomercial again ... I promise: No embellishments, no puffery, no lies."

eddie wrote:Tbh I don't think any miracles cures or diets work.

I'm not even sure why those Adios pills can still be sold legally??

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:Tbh I don't think any miracles cures or diets work.

I'm not even sure why those Adios pills can still be sold legally??

I think it's down to the fact that money talks, tbh. What's amazing about the Adios pills is that right there in their promotional literature they say the pills won't "work" unless you also adopt a calorie-controlled diet and increase your exercise ... well, when you do that you obviously have no need for a pill!

Lurker wrote:All of his books talked in vague terms and then for the REAL answers to your questions you had to go to his Web site and pay another fee to get an even more vague answer. The man was a genius at fraud.