A WATCHDOG REPORTER COMMENTS ON FTC STORY BELOW
BY Hal
Here we go again. The FTC, it's never ending battle with Kevin Trudeau. This is the same organization (the FTC) that allows all the lies and misrepresentations of Big Pharma slide, yet wants to squash people who try to speak out against them. I really don't think they are going to stop him, and it is a waste of taxpayer's money. The lid is slowly coming off the kettle on all the corruption and collusion going on between the gov't and Big Pharma, and this just turns the heat up a little. As for ITV "kicking out" Trudeau, that is really interesting. Seems to me he is still involved with them to the extent the "law" will allow. Chalk me up as another Kevin Trudeau fan. I realize he has been in hot water in the past, but compared to what is going on in the U.S. gov't, I think I can live with that. At least the guy is trying to help people.
ANOTHER REPORTERS COMMENT FROM G.C.
Doesn’t it seem a bit odd that the FTC is going after Trudeau from the angle that his book is offering complete and responsible advice, but the promotion of the book is not truthful? Seems a bit odd from marketing a book. And they have in the past said his product claims were fraudulent, but now they are saying the promotion of his book misrepresents the ease and details of the program. (It may have, but it seems ironic that they are now trying to make the argument that what is in his book is more detailed and recommends people see a physician for care while losing weight using this system…. And Diet and Exercise…. )
Editors Note: Elements of truth in all above! Thanks Hal & G.C.
KEVIN TRUDEAU IN HOT WATER AGAIN AND MLM HISTORY
Editors Comment: It seems like Kevin Trudeau, a famous Infomercial star, is always in hot water with someone. Many of the folks that were with Nutrition For Life blame him for demise of that great company! Why? Due to his stock manipulation and selling shaky high priced leads to new MLM distributors he recruited for Nutrition For Life. In 2004, the FTC brought him to ground for making illegal claims for MLM Coral Calcium (and others). Kevin was associated with ITV on their pre-launch of their new MLM but ITV tossed him out because of the flack from his history.... Now a new saga!
Extract FTC Release: September 14, 2007
FTC: Marketer Kevin Trudeau Violated Prior Court Order
Charges Him with Misrepresenting Contents of Book
The Federal Trade Commission charged Kevin Trudeau with violating a previous court order by out right misrepresenting the contents of his new book:
“The Weight Loss Cure ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About,”
During the Infomercials, Trudeau claims the plan outlined in the book is easy to do, can be done at home, and ultimately allows readers to eat whatever they want. When consumers get the book, they find it describes a difficult fat reduction plan.
During the Infomercial TV ads, Trudeau describes the weight-loss plan that the book is about: “...it’s easy to do, you can do it at home...”
According to the FTC, when consumers buy and read the book, they find it actually describes a complicated, expensive system involving (1) daily injections (2) specialized cleanses and supplements (3) severe food restrictions (4) “fourth phase” of the protocol, which requires dietary restrictions that never end. The FTC says that Trudeau deceptively claimed his book established a weight-loss protocol that is “easy” to follow.
In court documents, the FTC pointed out that the first required phase of the protocol requires that consumers get daily injections of a prescription drug that is not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for weight loss EXCEPT it can be used "off prescription" under a doctors supervision. In addition you go on a 500 calorie a day diet for up to 45 days (who wouldn’t lose weight?) The follow up portion of the diet would be a low carbo diet. Over 70 reports to the MLM Watchdog from the field dispute some of this negative information from the FTC.
FTC History with Kevin Trudeau
1998 – False = claims for hair growth
2003 – Coral Calcium = false claims
2003 - Biotape for pain relief = false claims
2004 – Settlement of $2 million with FTC and court order = “No Infomercials” except books.
The FTC brought this new action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
Full Lengthy Details from the FTC Press Release