Hard Time in Prison for Tom Vu?
June 22nd, 2006 Paul Lucas
Over and over again, people on forums and blogs seem to assume that one-time real estate guru Tom Vu spent time in prison, supposedly for fraud related to his infomercials and seminars. I have never seen any solid evidence that this is the case.
I distinctly remember a report in the early 1990s that Vu was being investigated by the Florida attorney general. Vu pulled his infomercials during this investigation and never aired them again. But I have never seen any credible report that Vu was ever formally charged with a crime, much less convicted and sent to prison.
It was also widely reported that many of the “graduates” of Vu’s seminars were upset with Vu. The main point of contention was that Vu promised to provide them with money if they found any good real estate deals, and they claimed that he never came through on that promise. These people had hired attorneys and were at least considering filing suit. But I do not know if any lawsuit was ever filed, if it ever went to trial, or if there was an out of court settlement. And, in any case, civil lawsuits do not result in prison time.
I think because of the investigation, the accusations of disgruntled graduates, the sudden disappearance of the Tom Vu infomercials from the airwaves, and the conviction of other real estate gurus such as William McCorkle, people just assume that Vu must have been convicted and done time. If anyone has any solid evidence of what ever happened to Tom Vu in regards to criminal or civil wrong-doing I would honestly appreciate seeing it.
Whatever may have happened to Tom Vu in the past, he is certainly not in prison now. Tuan “Tommy” Vu is a top poker player who entered the 2005 World Series of Poker and came in 22nd place, earning over $300,000. You can see pictures of how Tom Vu looks today here and here, and watch a video of Vu being interviewed at the WSOP.
Tommy is now Tommy Voo and selling his schemes in Las Vegas every Monday and Thursday nights. He is now selling condos on the strip and high priced houses and if you find someone so that he can use their credit to buy said properties with, he will pay you $2000 to $5000 as a finder’s fee.
Comment by Sandy — March 6th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
I think you are gettin Tom Vu confused with another Floridian with real estate infomercials, William McCorkle. William McCorkle was charged, tried, convicted, and serving time.
Comment by Trooper — June 29th, 2007 at 6:04 am
Did you actually read my post? You know, the one located a few inches above?
Comment by Paul Lucas — June 29th, 2007 at 8:51 am
I think your getting him confused with Ben Dover or the famous Chinese female Lawyer Sue Me
Comment by Jim Nasium — July 20th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
Lol at Jim Nasium’s comment.
Comment by Anvil — September 20th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Great post! I’ve done extensive research on what happened to Tom Vu in the 90’s Most of it is rumour, nobody has yet to present cold hard facts. Similar to you, I too would like to know what happened to him and if he ever went to court or even jail. I would doubt jail, someone would have spilled the beans in the 90’s to gain some money off one of the grocery store mags.
He was a character. There was something so simple and childlike about him that you wanted to keep on watching his info-commercial to not only see the yacht’s, the cars, the women and the houses, but you really were waiting for him to tell you his ’secret’. His secret is well known and not that profound, but he does speak the truth on that aspect of his marketing.
He was a man ahead of his time.
He will forever be remembered in the minds of us late night TV watching boomers, good or bad.
Thanks and all the best!
Mark
Comment by Mark Argentino — December 7th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Tommy Vu is da man. Loved his quotes and his babes!! Favorite quote “Don’t listen to your friends… they’re losers!”
Comment by dave — February 25th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
My favorite quote from Tom Vu is:
“A lot of your friends will tell you, ‘Don’t come to the seminar. It’s a get-rich-quick plan.’ Well, tell them, it is a get-rich-quick plan because life is too short to get rich slow.”
Comment by KennyKenKen — March 11th, 2008 at 12:23 am
For the record, he did not go to jail. The lawsuit was instigated by one disgruntled student who hired a law firm who saw an opportunity to file a class action.
Upon discovery, it was determined all Tom Vu said, he did, including buying and owning, and selling many,many properties around the US,including many mansions.
Comment by Anonymous — March 27th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I’m curious about the names of some of the women in his videos. They all looked really great. I loved the way it wasn’t taboo for women back then to be a little more full-figured and not so skinny. None of his models had implants, either. And the cuts on those bikinis looked awesome. Please advise!
Comment by Will — February 18th, 2009 at 12:12 am