Popular infomercial pitchman Kevin Trudeau jailed

Kevin Trudeau, the popular infomercial pitchman who sold you things you didn't think you needed before selling you books about things the government supposedly didn't want you to know, has been jailed for repeatedly failing to pay $37 million in civil fines.

Trudeau was jailed for contempt of court Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman in Chicago for failing to pay a Federal Trade Commission fine. Trudeau spent a night in jail last month after arguing that he had no money.

Trudeau, 50, became a best-selling author using TV to promote books such as Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You to Know About, which suggested the government and pharmaceutical companies had conspired to hide or devalue cures to medical problems ranging from constipation to cancer. That book and several followups, including More Natural "Cures" Revealed; Previously Censored Brand Name Products That Cure Disease, drew criticism from scientists and medical experts.

Ironically, Trudeau's writing career evolved after a settlement with FTC, which banned him from selling products other than books. The $37 million fine was levied against Trudeau for violating the FTC settlement.

Gettleman, who in 2007 ordered Trudeau from appearing in any infomercials for three years, said the fine amounted to what consumers had paid for Trudeau's books.

It's unclear how long Trudeau will remain in jail. Last week, Gettleman had postponed Tuesday's jailing so Trudeau could attend a legal defense fund-raiser in Washington, D.C.

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Gettleman told Trudeau he would stay incarcerated until he reveals the offshore bank accounts where he's believed to have stashed money and gold. The FTC alleged that Trudeau recently spent $12,000 on watches and jewelry.

"I don't have another alternative but to incarcerate you," Gettleman said. "It really saddens me, Mr. Trudeau. You're a sm! art guy. Maybe too smart. Perhaps you've outsmarted yourself."

For most of the 1990s, Trudeau was ubiquitous on late-night TV, featured in infomercial products promoting health products ranging from baldness remedies to dietary supplements.

Trudeau was convicted in 1991 of fraud for charging over $122,000 on stolen credit card numbers and spent two years in federal prison.

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