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Infomercial King Kevin Trudeau Gets 10 Years For Deceiving Consumers

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

And today's last word in business is: False Advertising.

Infomercial king Kevin Trudeau has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. You know Trudeau from his multiple late-night promises to change your life.

(SOUNDBITE OF INFOMERCIAL AD)

DAVID GREENE, HOST:

I'm not believing it. After an investigation into his infomercials, Trudeau was ordered to stop his false claims, so he decided to spend time writing a book instead. And the book, "The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About," became a bestseller.

MONTAGNE: And became the new inspiration behind another infomercial.

(LAUGHTER)

MONTAGNE: He took his weight loss secrets to late-night TV and was fined $37 million for defying the court order.

GREENE: But Trudeau never paid the fine and so instead of money, a judge yesterday settled on prison time for him.

That's the business news on MORNING EDITION, from NPR News. I'm David Greene.

MONTAGNE: And I'm Renee Montagne. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.