Bye, Bye Kevin: Trudeau Banned from Infomercials for 3 Years!
October 22nd, 2008 Paul Lucas
Steve Parker, M.D. of the Advanced Mediterranean Diet Blog tipped us off to the latest news about the ongoing legal woes of infomercial pitchman Kevin Trudeau.
A recent court ruling seems to really and truly prohibit Trudeau from appearing on infomercials for a period of three years. This ruling follows a long line of previous court decisions that found Trudeau had misrepresented his products.
Because Trudeau had falsely claimed that his “Coral Calcium Supreme” product could cure cancer, a 2004 a court order banned him from selling his products on infomercials—but it created an exception that allowed him to sell books as long as he did “not misrepresent the content of the books.”
In 2007, a court found Trudeau had violated the earlier court order by making false claims in an infomercial selling his book The Weight Loss Cure “They” Don’t Want You to Know About; however that decision prescribed no punishment.
But in August of 2008, Judge Robert W. Gettleman banned Kevin Trudeau from “participating in the production or publication of any infomercial for any product, including books” for 3 years. The ruling also fined Trudeau $5 million.
This press release from the FTC provides details about the ruling. I especially liked this part:
Stating that Trudeau was “not a credible witness,” the judge noted several “undeniably false” statements in his infomercials, finding that, contrary to Trudeau’s claims:
- the diet protocol could not be done “easily” and “at home,” because the protocol described in Trudeau’s book requires colonics, which must be done at the office of a licensed practitioner, as well as injection of human growth hormone;
- dieters could not “complete” or “finish” Trudeau’s four-phase program, because Trudeau’s book states that “Phase 4 is for the rest of your life”;
- dieters could not eat “anything” they want, because Trudeau’s book prescribes that dieters following Phase 4 must eat “only 100% organic food,” and no “brand name” food, “fast food,” or “food served by regional or national chain restaurants”; and
- the diet protocol did not require “no exercise,” because Trudeau’s book states that three of the diet’s four phases, including Phase 4, require walking one hour outside every day.
Trudeau didn’t merely make claims for a technique that turned out not to “work” in practice. He told bald-face lies that about what was actually written in the very book he was selling! He wrote one thing in his own book and then told people the opposite about it on the infomercial.
So it appears that Trudeau’s career as an infomercial scammer may finally be put on hiatus—at least until 2011.
But if this ruling was handed down in August, why are Trudeau’s infomercials still being aired, especially The Hot Seat infomercial for his Debt Cures “They” Don’t Want You to Know About? This blog post from TV station WSYR in Syracuse may give an explanation:
[Trudeau] likely purchased television time for these ads long ago, and stations are just learning about the FTC’s findings, so they will probably be phased out shortly.
On the other hand, since Trudeau has defied court decisions before perhaps he will do the same with this one—until “They” are forced to throw him in prison.
Why does this make me sad? I grew up into this infomercial junkie you see (or read) today watching Kevin Trudeau’s hyperbole on late night television.
So…if Trudeau is my generation’s nominal huckster, who is the next generation’s? Klee Irwin?!
Comment by Mel — October 22nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
This disappoints me greatly. I’ve followed the absurdity and outrageous claims of Kevin Trudeau ever since I saw his “Mega Memory” infomercial with former Partridge Danny Bonaduce.
It’s sad to think that we infomercial fans will have to wait until 2011 for Kevin to provide us with more entertainment.
Like Santo Gold, he’s one of a kind.
Comment by Kyle Varnell — October 23rd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Ironically, he just released a book called “How to keep ‘them’ from banning you from doing infomercials”.
Comment by Emilin8r — October 23rd, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Thanks for doing the additional research. The August, 2008, announcement from the judge apparently is the sanction associated with the November, 2007, contempt of court determination.
-Steve
Comment by Steve Parker, M.D. — October 23rd, 2008 at 10:41 pm
“participating in the production or publication of any infomercial for any product, including books”
Does that stop him from doing an infomercial just telling people to visit his website for “free” information. I bet Kevin doesn’t think it does!
Comment by Eric — October 25th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Sadly I think I will miss Trudeau and his ” wisdom”
Comment by Jannie — October 25th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Kevin’s next book is set to be released in 2011,
101 Things “Your” Parole Officer Doesn’t Want You To Know About.
Comment by Richard Simmons — October 25th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Amazing you are saying that he’s been banned for 3 years when I just finished watching his Debt Cures infomercial only a moment ago on ION TV. So what is the real scoop, is he the kook or are you?
Comment by Stacy Jones — October 26th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Dear Stacy Jones,
Can you please do the world a favor and actually READ THE ENTIRE POST THAT I WROTE before commenting on it. I discussed the very issue that you thought you were such a genius to raise.
And in answer to your question: I am not a kook. Kevin Trudeau is not a kook. You are not a kook. You are however a moron who doesn’t bother reading a blog post before making an ignorant comment about it.
Comment by Paul Lucas — October 26th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I heard Donald Barrett on the radio today advertising for Kevin’s Natural Cures book. I guess Kevin’s found yet another way to circumvent the rulesl
Comment by Emilin8r — October 29th, 2008 at 9:12 am
This is the sleaziest infomercial hack of them all. Glad to hear the FTC is clamping down on Kevin.
Comment by Clint Says — November 11th, 2008 at 1:07 am
You can pick up Kevin’s Trudeau’s works on Amazon.com. Here’s the rundown as of 11/16/08:
Natural Cures “They” Don’t Want You To Know About…$0.01
More Natural “Cures” Revealed….$2.24
Kevin Trudeau’s Mega Memory….$3.25
Weight Loss Cures “They” Don’t Want You To Know About…$7.99
Debt Cures “They” Don’t Want You To Know About….$10.77
I was suspecting that you could get ALL of them for a penny, so this surprises me. Notice how the second book the quotes move from “They” to “Cures.” Well, as long as he isn’t claiming they are cures, only “cures,” I guess he isn’t lying…
Comment by Scott Mercer — November 16th, 2008 at 3:30 am
I liked his Natural Cures books, I followed them and got feeling healthier after a few months. Alot of common sense, like quit eating processed “dead” foods. I eat about 90% organic, and feel much better! Thats the honest truth.
Comment by Troy — November 30th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
You needed Kevin Trudeau to tell you that eating organic food instead of processed crap will make you feel better?
Comment by Ristar — December 27th, 2008 at 12:17 am
I was out of the USA for more than a month, and have since been back (for more than 2 weeks now). I sleep these days at 5-00 AM or so (thanks to a combination of factors) but not even once I came across Kevin Trudeau. I was worried that maybe he is not well or is in prison; but now I know the reason for his absence.
Thank you for the news. Now I now that Kevin is safe.
Comment by Znkp — December 27th, 2008 at 3:23 am
Kevin Trudeau.
He testified in the hearings that he didn’t read the book.
Comment by Expert — January 13th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I used to date him. He’s actually quite charming and believe what you want folks.
He DOES believe everything he’s sold for himself or others.
He, himself actually uses many if not all of the actual products he’s sold.
Example:
I remember once he sold (infomercial) a machine that clears smoke etc out of the air… back before Sharper Imageand everyone else caught on and started selling them. He liked to smoke cigars, there was NEVER a trace of cigar smoke in his place. He was very proud of that fact.
Anyway, he believed in the products he sold.
He is Guilty however. He’s guilty of Pi$$ing the FTC off, by teetering as far on the edge as possible, more than likely purposely!
Not unlike our friend Howard Stern and other celebrities.
Comment by Know him personally — January 17th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
I saw our hero, Kevin Trudeau’s Debt Cures Hot Seat infomercial yesterday, the 18th Jan, 2009 on Channel 13 in LA. Seems he is immune to legality, lawsuits and all.
Comment by Znkp — January 19th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Talking about the next great infomercial icon: If you ask me, the all-time great will be none other than Donald Barrett.
While Kevin has the cunning of a first-rate conman, it is the nonchalant coldness of a professional assassin that Donny boy possesses, which scares me to death.
Comment by Znkp — January 19th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
In October last year I blogged about the Federal Trade Commission’s judgment - over $5 million - against twice-convicted felon Kevin Trudeau. He is the author of The Weight Loss Cure “They” Don’t Want You to Know About.
Who are “they”? The Federal Trade Commission, apparently.
The FTC objected to Trudeau making false claims in his infomercials for the book.
On November 4, 2008, federal judge Robert W. Gettleman amended the judgment to $37,616,161, the amount consumers paid in response to the deceptive infomercials.
I always wondered how much money those infomercials could rake in. That’s not pure profit, of course: Trudeau had to pay for production costs, air time, etc.
What if he can’t pay the fine? Jail time?
Don’t feel sorry for him. His false claims were so egregious that the $37 million he collected from customers is tantamount to theft. $19.95 at a time, plus shipping and handling.
Don’t be surprised if Turdeau cites this judgment as proof that the government and weight-loss industry have conspired to suppress his weight loss cure.
It warms my soul to know that there is indeed some justice in this life. To the FTC and Judge Gettleman: thank you.
-Steve Parker, M.D.
________________________________
Reference: January 15, 2009 FTC news release: Marketer Kevin Trudeau Violated Prior Court Order
Comment by Steve Parker, M.D. — January 28th, 2009 at 4:38 am
holy mackerals! no trudeau for three years! fantastic! I’m a humor blogger that has been making of kev and donnie and the rest for a couple of years now, the link below is to one of my favorites.
http://cranelegspond.blogspot.com/2007/08/307.html
thanks for the news and i love the blog. will have to come back more and more.
oh this is great. i’m getting those chris matthews shivers up my leg.
Comment by cranelegs — January 29th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Ummm
What kevin said in that book and on the show makes perfect sense… saying it was false claims just shows how ignorant and vindictive the FTC is…. While Kevin is no Angel… the FTC..is grossly corrupt and biased… protecting big Pharm and MEd at the expense of the population Those guys should be beheaded !!!!!
Comment by DaveS — February 14th, 2009 at 3:11 am
Kevin Trudeau is hero. But the FDA doesnt like him and is at the core of harrassing him off television. The FDA and the FTC are the crooks. You will never win your fight against Kevin Trudeau. His book has been a best seller and people agree with his natural cures. Millions of people support Kevin Trudeau. He is truly a hero.
Comment by Jen — February 16th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I love Kevin Trudeau knowledge and I am very happy that he has taken the time to reveal/share ALL that he knows about the GrEEdY FDA and the FTC, they are the real CROOKS!! STAY SAFE KEVIN!!. Since he has been exposing them of their DISHONESTY they are very ANGRY they have been exposed as the LIARS that they truly are. I hope that Kevin is well protected at all times. I have learned and educated myself just by reading his books… I stop eating junk, processed, chemical hormone injected or cloned food that the FDA is lying and telling everyone this food is good for you, when they know well that it isn’t …only to have millions die. How do you clone and say that it’s healthy??? Not even close to being healthy and in fact it is a “bad health risk to everyone”.
So keep doing what you are doing Kevin it just makes since…we ALL need to know this greatly needed information or we ALL will be dead at an early age!! I would rather spend $19.95 on a book that gives me good health information on how I can stay alive for years, rather than spend $19.95 on processed or dangerous chemical injected food that the FDA wants you to buy and die from.
And to all those DISBELIEVERS who are trying to humiliate Kevin and discourage others against him, it’s not going to work. If you don’t like his infomercials DON’T WATCH THEM. If you don’t like his books DON’T READ THEM. His books are for people that want to change their lives and live a healthier life, because we sure aren’t getting it from what we’re eating out here today.
All Kevin is saying is that if you want to be SAFE since we know what is being put in our food than we should go Organic…IT JUST MAKES SINCE!!
So BYE, BYE to you Crooks, KEVIN WILL WITHOUT DOUBT BE AROUND FOR A LONG TIME…
Comment by Go Organic — April 1st, 2009 at 5:14 am
Well, I’ve read the entire thread (at least the amount that still appears on the page). It’s now Sept. 13, 2009, and Kevin’s “The View” half hour still appears to be alive and well.
Any updates on how he managed to pull that off?
Comment by Dave — September 13th, 2009 at 1:55 am
According to Trudeau’s latest infomercial, he is appealing the ruling. So the whole matter is still tied up in the courts.
Comment by Paul Lucas — September 13th, 2009 at 3:10 pm