Kevin Trudeau (born 1962 or 1963) is an American author, salesman, TV personality, and convicted felon. Known for promoting unproven health, diet, and financial advice, he faced penalties for fraud, larceny, and contempt of court.
Convicted in the 1990s, he violated a 2004 FTC settlement, resulting in a $37.6 million fine. In 2013, he filed for bankruptcy amid accusations of hiding assets. In 2014, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Released in 2022, he still owes the FTC millions in unpaid fines.
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Kevin Trudeau Net Worth
Kevin Trudeau has a net worth of – $37 million. He is an author, radio personality, and infomercial salesman. Trudeau developed Mega Memory and Advanced Mega Memory audio tapes, claiming they were based on techniques used to aid the blind and mentally challenged.
He credited Dr. Michael Van Masters and 1975 research from the State School for the Blind in Muskogee, Oklahoma. While selling cars in Boston in 1982, Trudeau met Van Masters and later joined his Chicago business. The FTC later banned Trudeau’s memory claims as false advertising.
Early life
Kevin Trudeau grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts, as the adopted son of Robert and Mary Trudeau. His birth mother was Jewish. He attended St. Mary’s High School in Lynn and graduated in 1981. During his time there, he was voted “Most Likely to Succeed” by his classmates.
This early recognition contrasted sharply with his later controversies and legal troubles. His upbringing in Massachusetts and early academic promise shaped the image he projected in his later career as a salesman and media figure.
Career
After high school, Kevin Trudeau became a used car salesman and later joined the seminar circuit, selling memory improvement techniques. In 1990, he pleaded guilty to depositing $80,000 in worthless checks and impersonating a physician. In 1991, he pleaded guilty to 11 counts of credit card fraud and served two years in federal prison.
After release, he joined Nutrition for Life, later settling pyramid scheme charges for $185,000. His infomercials promoted unproven products, leading to FTC action, a 1998 fine, and a 2004 court settlement.
Personal life
Kevin Trudeau has been married at least three times. His first wife was Oleksandra Polozhentseva, a Ukrainian immigrant. In 2007, he married Kristine Dorow, a Norwegian student he met in London; their marriage ended after four months. Dorow claimed a prenuptial agreement required her to advance in Scientology, which Trudeau had dabbled in.
In 2008, Trudeau married Natalya Babenko, another Ukrainian, who later filed for annulment based on fraud. The Los Angeles Superior Court granted the annulment in November 2022.
What happened with Kevin Trudeau?
Trudeau faced numerous legal challenges, culminating in an eight-year federal prison sentence for criminal contempt related to his failure to pay a $37.6 million fine for misrepresenting the contents of his book, “The Weight-Loss Cure ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About.” Despite being released from federal custody in 2022, his financial obligations remain largely unfulfilled, with the government seizing assets and pursuing hidden valuables.
Conclusion
Kevin Trudeau’s journey from an infomercial king to a controversial figure embroiled in legal battles underscores the complexities of fame, fortune, and the fine line between ambitious entrepreneurship and deceit. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of transparency and integrity in business practices.
FAQs about Kevin Trudeau
- What led to Kevin Trudeau’s legal troubles?
- Trudeau’s legal issues stem from accusations of fraudulent marketing practices and misleading claims about his products, resulting in hefty fines and imprisonment.
- Has Kevin Trudeau written any books?
- Yes, Trudeau has authored several books, including “Natural Cures ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About” and “The Weight-Loss Cure ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About.”
- What was the outcome of Trudeau’s prison sentence?
- Trudeau was released from federal custody in 2022 after serving eight years, but he still owes a substantial fine to the FTC.
- Is Kevin Trudeau still selling products?
- While Trudeau left federal custody, it is unclear if he has resumed selling products. His legal and financial restrictions may limit his ability to engage in similar business practices.
- What can be learned from Kevin Trudeau’s story?
- Trudeau’s story highlights the consequences of deceptive marketing and the importance of adhering to legal and ethical standards in business operations.
