Kevin Trudeau
10-Year Prison Sentence for Infomercial Fraud
Kevin Trudeau was a television infomercial personality who became one of the most prominent consumer fraud cases in FTC history. Over several decades, he sold millions of books and products through infomercials making health and financial claims that regulators determined were false and deceptive. His most widely sold book, "Natural Cures They Don't Want You to Know About," was marketed with infomercials implying it contained specific cures for serious diseases including cancer and diabetes. The FTC and subsequent reviewers noted that the book contained primarily general wellness advice and referrals to a paid subscription service for additional information.
The FTC took enforcement action against Trudeau over multiple decades. A 2004 order restricted him from making certain misleading claims in infomercials. Regulators subsequently found he continued airing infomercials with claims they considered deceptive, including promoting a weight loss book with representations about easy and dramatic weight loss results. The FTC obtained a $37 million judgment against him for the weight loss book marketing, which remained unpaid. He was also found to have hidden assets to avoid satisfying the judgment.
In 2013, Trudeau was convicted of criminal contempt of court for violating the 2004 FTC order. In 2014, a federal judge sentenced him to ten years in prison, citing his extended history of court order violations and what the judge described as a persistent pattern of deceiving consumers. Trudeau maintained that he was being targeted for his anti-establishment views and that the books he sold contained valuable information being suppressed by powerful interests. He served approximately eight years before release.
Following his release from prison, Trudeau returned to promotional activities and launched a social media presence. He continued to present himself as an advocate for suppressed health and financial information. His case has been widely referenced in consumer protection discussions as an example of persistent regulatory challenges in the infomercial and alternative health marketing space.