Kevin TrudeauA federal judge rejected an impassioned plea from a television pitchman for his freedom on Tuesday, ordering U.S. Marshals to lock up Kevin Trudeau for failing to pay a $37 million civil judgment.
The visibly exasperated judge had already ordered that Trudeau be jailed during a hearing in Chicago when Trudeau stood up and asked if he could address the court. The Federal Trade Commission won the judgment after accusing Trudeau of hoodwinking viewers about his weight-loss books.
“There are no more assets to turn over, your honor,” the 50-year-old Trudeau insisted during a 10-minute plea, at times striking a note of desperation. “I’m going to be incarcerated … and I don’t know what to do.”
Judge Robert Gettleman seemed unimpressed.
“Thank you, Mr. Trudeau,” he said flatly. “My order stands.”